Netflix Keeps Canceling Popular Shows And We Think We Know Why

Netflix has a reputation for canceling a large number of its shows, and the mystery-thriller series 1899 is the latest to fall victim to the streaming giant's cancellation axe. The reason for the cancelation is unclear, as Netflix typically does not reveal its reasoning for canceling shows. However, some viewers are beginning to suspect that there may be a method to Netflix's seemingly indiscriminate approach to cancelations.

One theory that has recently resurfaced online suggests that the reason for cancelations could be linked to completion rates. This metric refers to the percentage of Netflix accounts that began watching a show and continued to watch all the available episodes. Essentially, it represents the number of viewers that Netflix can reasonably expect to watch the next season if it were to be made. If a show has a low completion rate, it is unlikely that viewers will tune in for a second season.

According to data from analytics company Digital i, the completion rate for the series 1899 was quite low. The data suggests that only around 32% of Netflix accounts that started the show actually followed through and finished the season. This is a worrying trend for a potential second season of the show. Similarly, the recently canceled series First Kill also had a low completion rate, with a 66% drop-off between the first and second episodes and only 43% of viewers committing to watching the series through to the end.

It's worth noting that Digital i is a third-party company, and Netflix has never publicly released completion rate information for any of its shows. Even if the numbers aren't entirely accurate, the idea that completion rates are dictating whether or not a show survives cancelation appears to have some validity. This theory was given further credibility last summer by Neil Gaiman, the author of the graphic novels upon which the Netflix fantasy series Sandman is based, in response to a tweet from a viewer.

In conclusion, the reason for cancelations of shows is not always clear and it could be completion rate or other factors, such as budget and contracts. And while Netflix has not publicly confirmed this theory, it seems to be a logical explanation for the streamer's cancelation decisions.