WIH+: Netflix’s Most Valuable Real Estate

PREVIEW VERSION

Join today and receive 21% off your first year with promo code SPRING23.

Welcome back to What I’m Hearing+, my weekly deep dive into the data and dealmaking behind the streaming business. Tonight, a look at why Netflix is resisting the industry-wide rush back to theaters, and how its content strategy connects to that 2018 Mel Gibson flick that’s suddenly trending.

But first…

Peacock’s Cable Play: Compared to a new Rian Johnson project or simulcasting NFL games, the inclusion of CNBC and MSNBC’s morning programming on Peacock may not seem like big news. It is, however, arguably one of the biggest attacks on the linear TV bundle and, to put it in Hollywood terms, the call is coming from inside the...

Can’t see the full story? You’re receiving the free version of What I’m Hearing+ at . For full access to Puck, and to each of my colleagues, you can subscribe here.

Learn More

Netflix & the Most Valuable Real Estate in Hollywood

While its rivals shift back to a theatrical-first, monetize-as-you-can content strategy, Netflix is doubling down on what it does best: leveraging its massive scale, data, and that coveted home page to resurface content that the rest of Hollywood needs to sell.

JULIA ALEXANDER

Over the last week, I’ve had multiple conversations with incredulous streaming insiders about two Netflix developments. The first revolves around why various old, not-especially-popular movies continue to pop on the streamer, often surging to the top of its most-watched list. For instance, Dragged Across Concrete, a critically acclaimed but semi-controversial Mel Gibson vehicle that bombed at the box office in 2018, hit No. 4 on this week’s English-language films list.

The second pertains to the mystery of why Netflix is ignoring theaters. It’s a constant, and often aimless, talking point that resurfaced in recent days following the news that Apple and Amazon are looking to bring more feature films to exhibition instead of depositing...

Keep Reading with a Free Trial

FOUR STORIES WE’RE TALKING ABOUT