Netflix To Expand On Its Original Content, And That Will Come At A Cost

Netflix, once simply known as a video rental service that sent you DVDs in the mail, has grown into a huge player. It’s wide range of original content, from shows to movies to documentaries to comedy specials, has actually become the company’s biggest selling point- as opposed to the old days when they were merely a middle man between you and the studios. And they want to give you more homegrown entertainment to peruse. Much, much more. And while that’s cool, it’ll definitely come at a price.

During an investor conference call, Netflix CFO David Wells said that the streaming network wants to eventually get to a place where half of its lineup will be comprised of original content.

“It will take us a couple more years [to get there],” Wells said. “We’re a third to halfway to where we want to be. We’ve got a ways to go.“

That said, Wells says the process of getting there will take time and will take a considerable financial investment. You know what that means…

“We can raise [prices] slowly over time,” Wells said, while mentioning that they may move to a having differentiated tiers of service. Wells also revealed that “we face pressure from investors that we’re underpriced.”

It’s hard to argue that Netflix hasn’t become a destination for great original content. Just look at a few of their hit original properties:

• Stranger Things
• Daredevil
• Jessica Jones
• House Of Cards
• Orange Is The New Black
• Beasts of No Nation
• Making A Murderer
• Narcos
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

There are many more I could mention, but the point is clear: Netflix knows how to pick and support projects.

So the question becomes: What price are you willing to pay as the network continues to expand? What’s your ceiling?

SOURCE: Deadline