Netflix is experimenting with weekly episodes
You might soon be able to talk about your favorite Netflix shows spoiler-free. But don't get your hopes too high.
The streaming service is reportedly scrapping the binge model for two of its shows, The Great British Baking Show and an upcoming reality show featuring T.I., Cardi B, and Chance the Rapper titled Rhythm and Flow. The former has already shifted to a weekly release model and while multiple episodes of the latter will still drop at one time, the entire season will be spread out over three weeks.
Netflix is clear this is just an experiment; no other shows are transitioning away from the normal model right now and the company seems to have chosen reality shows specifically to keep surprises under wraps for a longer period of time. But it does seem that Disney's plans to release episodes weekly for several series set to air on its forthcoming streaming service, Disney+, has caught Netflix's attention. Perhaps, then, fans and critics will eventually watch shows like Stranger Things and Mindhunter on a week-to-week basis, but there's no actual indication that will happen.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Still, some analysts think the move makes sense — and not just to increase fan enthusiasm. It could also be a way to save some money. Tim O'Donnell
A free daily email with the day’s biggest news and analysis – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.