Netflix Eyeing More Opportunities To Introduce Live Programming But Sports Not Yet Profitable, Ted Sarandos Says
deadline.comOn the heels of the announcement that Netflix would stream the SAG Awards beginning in 2024, co-CEO Ted Sarandos spoke more about the streamer’s approach to live programming during Thursday’s Q4 earnings call.
He called it a “crawl, walk, run scenario, where we are really looking at our content that would benefit creatively for being live.” That could include a special results episode of a competition show, or a reunion episode of reality television, for example.
Netflix is eyeing any opportunity “to engage audiences live,” Sarandos explained. “And because we’ve got the shelf space, we can do hours of shoulder programming around the live event and all of those things that our members may enjoy,” he said. “So there’s nothing particularly novel about live television, as you know, but we are dabbling in it, starting with our Chris Rock live concert to try to create the excitement around live for those things that are uniquely more exciting to be live.” Part of live programming also includes sports, which Netflix has yet to dip its toes into while other streamers like Prime Video and Peacock have taken the plunge.
But before Netflix can follow suit, they’ve got to be able to make it profitable. “Our position has been the same. We’re not anti-sports, we’re pro-profits.
Read more on deadline.com
