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Through the years, we’ve performed some deep dives into Netflix’s library. Given Netflix’s latest technique adjustments and business adjustments, we wished to see whether or not Netflix’s library is rising, shrinking, or staying the identical. Right here’s what we discovered with the assistance of NewonNetflix.data.
Earlier than we dig in, there are a bunch of caveats on this article and issues with assessing libraries purely on a number of particular person titles alone. Initially, not each title is equal. Is a 10-minute brief similar to a TV present with over 100 episodes? Nearly actually not. You even have high quality, age, and whether or not individuals watch most titles to keep in mind. You’ve additionally received points like sure Bollywood films being counted as six titles as they’re added to Netflix (and different companies) in a number of languages. The purpose I’m getting at right here is that not all titles are equal, and judging a library by measurement may be deceptive! Anyway, onwards!
Netflix US Library Has Grown Since 2022 After Years of Stagnation
The earliest library complete we might discover was in a Enterprise Insider article stating that Netflix’s library in 2010 stood at 7,285 titles.
Our knowledge begins in September 2014, when the library had 7,074 titles. Quick-forward to Could 2024, and the library has an identical 7,108 titles. So the headline conclusion is that Netflix is in an identical place to the place it was ten years in the past, however that’s not the entire story.
In 2015, there was an enormous drop in out there titles on Netflix US, most of which had been films that left due to the ending of the Epix deal. Netflix’s Ted Sarandos (then Chief Content material Officer) even posted a weblog publish stating that there can be a notable drop in high-profile films.
All through the subsequent decade, Netflix can be targeted on constructing its Netflix Authentic lineup as extra titles from licensing offers had been pulled, many rivals opted to develop their streaming companies as an alternative of holding again licensed titles for themselves, and Netflix opted to not renew lots of its contracts. That’s resulted within the bleeding of licensed titles over time however previously 12 months or so, that quantity has stopped declining as a lot.
Whereas Netflix Originals do go away the service, Netflix’s Authentic Library continues to develop, as most are on very lengthy contracts or, within the case of many, will keep on Netflix indefinitely. The proportion of originals (seen within the graph under from September 2014 via Could 2024) has been on an upward trajectory for years, with 55% of all titles within the library as of July 2023 being Netflix Originals. In December 2023, Netflix’s library surpassed 4,000 Originals in complete.
Again in 2021, we put collectively a easy trajectory spreadsheet based mostly on the truth that Netflix’s Authentic portion of Netflix’s library was rising by 0.88% each month. That continued trajectory would’ve seen the library at 68.88% as of Could 2024, when, in actuality, it’s at the moment at 57.68%. That change has resulted in a reasonably fascinating S-curve.
Why is that this? Netflix is including barely fewer unique titles, however the larger affect is that Netflix is leaning extra towards licensing within the US. We’ve talked about this earlier than, however just a few stars are coming into alignment for this to occur. Firstly, Netflix desires your time through engagement, and having a much bigger library of licensed titles (particularly reveals with tons of of episodes) helps with that. That turns into more and more necessary as extra emphasis is placed on the advert tier. Extra watch time = extra advertisements served = more cash for Netflix!
Then you definately’ve received the financial realities for different streamers and legacy studios. They’ve gone all in on their streamers and, normally, are struggling to achieve profitability with the added strain of present revenue streams on a downward trajectory. Which means they’re on the lookout for more money, and a technique to do this is to license titles.
How does Netflix’s US Library Evaluate to Streaming Rivals?
By way of pure titles, how does Netflix’s library evaluate to its rivals? That’s a tough query, on condition that a number of the trackers aren’t totally correct. That stated, there are a few sources we will use to match.
Based on Flixable, right here’s how Netflix’s library stacks up in opposition to others: Disney+ within the US has 2,048 titles in complete, and Hulu has 6,745 titles, which means Disney has a mixed complete of 8,793, though there are more and more numerous crossovers. Max is sort of on par with Netflix, with 7,244 titles.
Based on JustWatch, Apple TV+ has 274 titles, Prime Video has 14,654 titles, Paramount+ has 2,126 titles, Starz has 1,672 titles, AMC+ has 1,602 titles, and Peacock has 4,961 titles.
We should always be aware that JustWatch suggests there are completely different title counts for AMC+ relying on whether or not you’re on Apple TV+ or Amazon Prime Channels. In these cases, we’ve taken the upper quantity. Additionally they state that Netflix has 6,779 titles, considerably decrease than the precise quantity. Both manner, it’s a superb ballpark comparability.
What about Netflix UK’s library?
Let’s transfer over to Netflix UK because the story within the numbers seems very completely different in comparison with the US. There since September 2014, the UK library has been on a steady upward trajectory
licensed titles vs Netflix Authentic titles, the story may be very completely different to america. The Originals line seems similar to the US (they’re primarily related titles, however there are regional variations concerning Netflix Originals), however the licensed title graph may be very completely different. All through 2017, the variety of licensed titles on Netflix UK exploded, however since 2018, that quantity has remained in keeping with the library development (seen above) coming totally from the Netflix Authentic titles.
The total underlying knowledge sheet for each the Netflix UK and US knowledge may be present in Google Sheets right here.
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