We’ve discussed on LIH our love and support for original content and with the popularity of Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” it’s clear audiences have embraced this new form. How about Netflix’s competitors Amazon and Hulu (who spent billions of dollars on original content) how well are they doing?
Amazon’s series Alpha House debuted last year. According to Jeff John Roberts from an article on GIGAOM
“Alpha House is Amazon’s first full-blown foray into original programming, with other shows and pilots on the way, including hour-long original dramas.
So far, critical reaction to “Alpha House” has been mixed. The show garnered a 70 on Metacritic (compared to 79 for Netflix’s Orange is the New Black) and a decidedly average 67 on Rotten Tomatoes.[1]”
How about Hulu? Who is their target audience? In a recent interview in “Time” Hulu discussed what they look for in content.
“We are a great aggregator for content that feels specialized but not niche. You want to look for stuff that has a special intelligence about it, that you feel could be a little more challenging than a typical television view. Where you have to pay attention to the plot because the writing is good. You have to have the intellectual curiosity to click on something new. And once you do, you can only watch it here and will want to talk about it. Almost all the exclusives and originals can’t fit in any easy category in terms of genre. We mix genres in a way you haven’t quite seen before.[2]”
A few of Hulu’s series are:
- East Los High
- Misfits
- Quick Draw
So how does Netflix, Amazon and Hulu measure a show’s success?
Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix, stated “What we do is try to find the perfect show for an audience,” he said.
The audience then rates the show on a Netflix system of one to five stars. That data is used to determine if the show is a success in the Netflix world, what kind of show that person wants to see (which is used to choose other shows), and to give the customers exactly the programs they want.[3]”
What is it about Netflix Internet television do you love? Is it the commercial free TV shows, unlimited viewing of original content?
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[1] http://www.fierceonlinevideo.com/special-reports/closer-look-billions-dollars-netflix-amazon-and-hulu
[2] http://entertainment.time.com/2013/12/06/specialized-but-not-niche-a-look-at-hulus-new-content-strategy/
[3] http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-ted-sarandos-original-content-309275
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Great article! We have Amazon prime, so we can watch some shows on Amazon, but most you have to pay for or if they are free, they aren’t what I really want. We have Netflix because some films are still only on DVD and we have a reasonably good thing going with them. Don’t have Hulu and don’t want to pay for another streaming company.
OITNB is 4.5 out of 5 on rottentomatoes with 97% of top critics and 93% of audiences loving it.
haha! here is more proof of OITNB popularity:
http://news.yahoo.com/black-white-orange-county-jail-michigan-210414911.html
Thank u! It was for u. But I was interested in knowing more about the topic after our discussion on your article on “Orange is the New Black.” I became more and more fascinated about how well Amazon and Hulu were doing regarding original series etc…Honestly I think Netflix is very different than Hulu and Amazon. They are trying to compete for HBO customers from what I read. This may explain why u prefer Netflix over Amazon and Hulu.
House of Cards is another Netflix original series that has done extremely well. it won a best actress for the GGs and is hugely popular. I haven’t started it yet, but I might.
Have you seen any of the Amazon original series? I have never heard of them, so I may have to do a little research.
Hulu’s East Los High
Misfits
Quick Draw
Quick Draw gets 4.9/5 on rottentomatoes. Misfits got 3.7, and East Los High has no score. I have friends who love Misfits, so I’m not necessarily ruling it out. Just wanted to give some stats.
Hmm! It doesn’t surprise me East LA did not get a score. I think series about minorities still have a long way to go in terms of being understood by mainstream critics.
I also think critics don’t want to be too critical of East LA until it finds an audience. But looking at the trailer it looks to be exploiting Mexicans. Perhaps I need to see more to be certain but that’s my take from just looking at the trailer.
Ok, now I really want to watch Quick Draw. That looks frickin’ hilarious!!! Anyone watched it yet? How can I watch it without subscribing? Oh life should not be this difficult! 🙂
Hahaha! Love your comment. ” How can I watch it without subscribing? Oh life should not be this difficult!” I haven’t seen Quick Draw but it looks funny. Perhaps we should advocate they give free trials to potential customers. Would u subscribe if they offered free trials for a month?
This is why I like original series: no commercials, fantastic writing, great acting, extended programming. When a film ends, it’s over, but a series can keep on keeping on and I like that! It’s the movie experience without the lame TV drama. However, I do think Hemlock Grove is pretty crappy but that’s because I am DONE with vampires and warewolves. Blech!