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| Kaos creator 'gutted' after Netflix cancels show | Kaos creator 'gutted' after Netflix cancels show |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The modern-day Greek mythology show stars Jeff Goldblum | The modern-day Greek mythology show stars Jeff Goldblum |
| Kaos creator Charlie Covell has spoken out in response to Netflix cancelling the popular comedy series this week, just over a month after its release. | Kaos creator Charlie Covell has spoken out in response to Netflix cancelling the popular comedy series this week, just over a month after its release. |
| The streamer's decision not to renew, external the modern-day Greek mythology show, starring Jeff Goldblum as almighty god Zeus, sparked surprise among the show's fans, as it featured in the platform's top 10 charts during its first month. | The streamer's decision not to renew, external the modern-day Greek mythology show, starring Jeff Goldblum as almighty god Zeus, sparked surprise among the show's fans, as it featured in the platform's top 10 charts during its first month. |
| Covell wrote, external on the Instagram page of the show's production company, Sister: "Of course I’m gutted not to be making more Kaos, but I don’t want this news to overshadow what we did make…. I’m extremely proud of our show." | Covell wrote, external on the Instagram page of the show's production company, Sister: "Of course I’m gutted not to be making more Kaos, but I don’t want this news to overshadow what we did make…. I’m extremely proud of our show." |
| The message also thanked fans for their enduring "love and enthusiasm," with Covell confirming that one unspecified online fan theory over the series' cliffhanger ending was "bang on the money." | The message also thanked fans for their enduring "love and enthusiasm," with Covell confirming that one unspecified online fan theory over the series' cliffhanger ending was "bang on the money." |
| Kaos creator Charlie Covell at the show's London launch | Kaos creator Charlie Covell at the show's London launch |
| Comments beneath their post underscored the strength of feeling from those upset at the cancellation. | Comments beneath their post underscored the strength of feeling from those upset at the cancellation. |
| The top-rated reply reading: "Please, let's try with a different streaming service or network." | The top-rated reply reading: "Please, let's try with a different streaming service or network." |
| Covell previously wrote The End of the F***ing World in collaboration with Channel 4 and Netflix, which reached a natural conclusion after two seasons. | Covell previously wrote The End of the F***ing World in collaboration with Channel 4 and Netflix, which reached a natural conclusion after two seasons. |
| Covell's statement follows an emotional post, external from actress Aurora Perrineau, who portrays Eurydice on the show. | Covell's statement follows an emotional post, external from actress Aurora Perrineau, who portrays Eurydice on the show. |
| Also writing on Instagram, she said "this one hurts" but thanked her fellow cast members, who included Janet McTeer, Billie Piper, Leila Farzad and Stephen Dillane. | Also writing on Instagram, she said "this one hurts" but thanked her fellow cast members, who included Janet McTeer, Billie Piper, Leila Farzad and Stephen Dillane. |
| “Everyone was brilliant and uniquely themselves. Every performance surprised and excited me,” she wrote. “I can’t believe I got to do this with all of you. We made something weird, dark, hilarious, deranged, and absolutely tragic — something entirely human.” | “Everyone was brilliant and uniquely themselves. Every performance surprised and excited me,” she wrote. “I can’t believe I got to do this with all of you. We made something weird, dark, hilarious, deranged, and absolutely tragic — something entirely human.” |
| At-home streaming grew in popularity during Covid lockdowns | At-home streaming grew in popularity during Covid lockdowns |
| Netflix's swift decision to cancel a high-profile, big-budget show like Kaos reflects a shifting strategy across the streaming sector as it evolves. | Netflix's swift decision to cancel a high-profile, big-budget show like Kaos reflects a shifting strategy across the streaming sector as it evolves. |
| Streaming service show cancellations are not uncommon and have regularly frustrated subscribers, such as Netflix ending The OA in 2019, and Shadow and Bone in 2023 - after cliffhanger season finales. They both sparked fan-led petitions for their return. | Streaming service show cancellations are not uncommon and have regularly frustrated subscribers, such as Netflix ending The OA in 2019, and Shadow and Bone in 2023 - after cliffhanger season finales. They both sparked fan-led petitions for their return. |
| This year alone Disney+ has pulled Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte, external after one season, alongside Paramount Plus cancelling Halo, external and Max pulling Tokyo Vice, external. My Lady Jane was also culled, external by Amazon Prime. | This year alone Disney+ has pulled Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte, external after one season, alongside Paramount Plus cancelling Halo, external and Max pulling Tokyo Vice, external. My Lady Jane was also culled, external by Amazon Prime. |
| These recent examples are arguably part of an industry trend. | These recent examples are arguably part of an industry trend. |
| The past decade has seen rapid growth in streaming platforms backing TV and film projects, drawing a billion subscribers to services by 2020 - growing as Covid lockdowns hit, external. | The past decade has seen rapid growth in streaming platforms backing TV and film projects, drawing a billion subscribers to services by 2020 - growing as Covid lockdowns hit, external. |
| This "tech-industry playbook" delivered big programme budgets but less investment in "the basics of programme making," wrote Stephen Armstrong in The Financial Times last year, external. | This "tech-industry playbook" delivered big programme budgets but less investment in "the basics of programme making," wrote Stephen Armstrong in The Financial Times last year, external. |
| When subscriber numbers temporarily stalled in 2022, streaming giants switched from chasing sign-ups to pursuing profitability. | When subscriber numbers temporarily stalled in 2022, streaming giants switched from chasing sign-ups to pursuing profitability. |
| Brand loyalty? | Brand loyalty? |
| "Streamers are far more selective with what they commission than where they were five years ago," TV critic Scott Bryan told the BBC. | "Streamers are far more selective with what they commission than where they were five years ago," TV critic Scott Bryan told the BBC. |
| "That means those that are really do have to work, and they have to deliver strongly". | "That means those that are really do have to work, and they have to deliver strongly". |
| He said that whilst Kaos started strongly, topping UK charts, external and peaking at number three for English-language shows, the publicly available viewing data suggests interest tapered off. | He said that whilst Kaos started strongly, topping UK charts, external and peaking at number three for English-language shows, the publicly available viewing data suggests interest tapered off. |
| The Hollywood Reporter, external described the show's initial 14.9m views over its first four weeks as "a middling number by the streamer’s standards." | The Hollywood Reporter, external described the show's initial 14.9m views over its first four weeks as "a middling number by the streamer’s standards." |
| Streaming services like Netflix remain private about the specifics of their financial and programming decisions. However, Wired previously reported, external a "viewership-versus-cost-of-renewal review process" in deciding recommissions. Forbes has similarly cited, external overall series engagement as a key internal metric. | Streaming services like Netflix remain private about the specifics of their financial and programming decisions. However, Wired previously reported, external a "viewership-versus-cost-of-renewal review process" in deciding recommissions. Forbes has similarly cited, external overall series engagement as a key internal metric. |
| Bryan said the shows that Netflix have recently recommissioned, such as Supercell, Bridgerton and The Gentlemen, point to a focus on "series that can spawn franchises and multiple seasons," mirroring the shifting industry focus. | Bryan said the shows that Netflix have recently recommissioned, such as Supercell, Bridgerton and The Gentlemen, point to a focus on "series that can spawn franchises and multiple seasons," mirroring the shifting industry focus. |
| "Kaos is a very good show, but it's also a very expensive show given the cast attached and the special effects - it's clear it just didn't match internal expectations for there to be a second season", says Bryan. | "Kaos is a very good show, but it's also a very expensive show given the cast attached and the special effects - it's clear it just didn't match internal expectations for there to be a second season", says Bryan. |
| Looking ahead, he feels there is potential reputational danger for individual streamers if popular, word-of-mouth shows keep getting cancelled, potentially making subscribers wary - and weary - of committing to a series only for it to be cancelled. | Looking ahead, he feels there is potential reputational danger for individual streamers if popular, word-of-mouth shows keep getting cancelled, potentially making subscribers wary - and weary - of committing to a series only for it to be cancelled. |
| Analysis from the Wall Street Journal, external suggests customers already have little brand loyalty, regularly cancelling and renewing different subscriptions. | Analysis from the Wall Street Journal, external suggests customers already have little brand loyalty, regularly cancelling and renewing different subscriptions. |
| But for now Netflix's bottom line, its subscriber base, remains strong, buoyed by international hits including Baby Reindeer and a new ad-supported subscription tier. | But for now Netflix's bottom line, its subscriber base, remains strong, buoyed by international hits including Baby Reindeer and a new ad-supported subscription tier. |
| The streamer added 8m subscribers in the latest quarter, taking its total subscriber count to over 270m worldwide. | The streamer added 8m subscribers in the latest quarter, taking its total subscriber count to over 270m worldwide. |
| The BBC has contacted Netflix for comment. |