What do we know about Netflix? Well Netflix was founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph back in 1997 but it original started as a mail based rental DVD business.
How that ever worked back then with local video stores like Blockbuster I have no idea, but somehow it managed to survive.
It wasn’t until the invention of streaming content online that Netflix began to flourish in 2007 and expanded from the US to Canada in 2010. Netflix wasn’t content with one continent and kept growing all over the planet and in 2016 it was streaming in 190 countries. I didn’t even know there was 190 countries!
It has an estimated 98 million subscribers worldwide. The introduction of Netflix Originals (Netflix’s in house content-production) came in 2013 with its first series House of Cards, and has grown ever since to roughly 126 Netflix Originals but there is about to be two less. That’s right, they are about to axe Sense8 and The Get Down.
Both Sense8 and The Get Down cost around $10 million to make per episode so it’s no wonder that if something’s not working it’s time to stop it and fast.
So why didn’t they work? Well lest have a look at Sense8 to start. It’s about eight strangers from all around the globe who are connected mentally and emotionally.
At first it is hard for them to comprehend and control what leads them to inadvertently start speaking in Spanish or producing some serious karate skills without knowing why. Sounds good right? I thought so too, but I could only muster 6 episodes and in all fairness, if I’m not sold by then I’m not going to waste any more time. And with another 126 Originals to choose from. For me just not enough happened, it was just too slow.
The Get Down was created by Baz Luhrmann, the genius behind Romeo and Juliet, and Moulin Rouge.
The Get Down is set in the South Bronx in the 1970’s and revolves around the rise of Hip-Hop.
We view all this through the eyes of a group of teenagers. I mean what’s not to love and with Baz Luhrmann at the wheel what could possibly go wrong?
Well something has, and again I couldn’t make it much past 3 or 4 episodes and I don’t know why.
All the ingredients are there but it just doesn’t click. Luhrmann is a visionary and has done amazing things but I guess sometimes with creativity you get it wrong and I salute him for taking risks, its just unfortunate this one didn’t pay off.
So what Netflix Originals do work? Well quite a few. I would recommend Daredevil, Wet Hot American Summer, Better Call Saul and Stranger Things.
Netflix has promised more Originals but it’s believed to be more in comedy genre as its more cost effective than $10 million an episode. It seems that no show is safe and I’m sure there’s more cuts to come so fingers crossed it’s not your favorite show.
Now, this is supposed to be a dating blog and you’re probably asking what on earth this post has to do with dating or indeed the speed dating that we specialise in.
The answer is not a lot.
The truth of the matter is this, watching Netflix, like most other things is better done with a loving partner by your side.
If you’re on the lookout to meet someone special you won’t meet them watching TV on your own. Get on down to one of our London dating events. It’s refreshingly easy to meet someone when you know where to look. Here’s a list of events coming up soon.
WORDS BY STUART GRAHAME
Stuart is one of our regular hosts and over the years has become something of an expert in dating. Watch out for his regular posts full of dating tips and advice.