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Netflix’s next chapter may be to take a page out of the television news magazine.
The head of content at the streaming-video company, Ted Sarandos, said the likelihood that Netflix would compete directly with Vice in the next two years was “probably high,” speaking during a live-streamed interview to discuss financial results.
For Netflix, which has expanded into original comedies and dramas like “House of Cards,” this is another attempt to make itself even more of a fixture of your TV. Sarandos’ tease comes as the company said its US subscriber growth fell below expectations due to complications with new credit and debit cards that have built-in chips for additional security.
Netflix has led the change in when and how we watch video, underscoring the shifting dynamics of the entertainment industry. It’s one that has spurred HBO to let people view its content online without a cable subscription. Now, HBO’s move into news with programs like “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and its own “Vice” series are prodding Netflix as well.
Sarandos pointed to the company’s coming talk show with comedian Chelsea Handler as an example of how Netflix is already moving in that direction. The Handler program, slated to launch early next year, shows Netflix has already become more “adventurous” in the genres of its originals, he said.
“That’s aimed at the same kind of thing, more of a weekly talk show,” he said, contrasting it with Netflix’s staple content of movies and television that have a long shelf-life if viewers watch them weeks or months later.
But he poured cold water — again — on the idea that Netflix would get into live sports. “Sports on demand is not as interesting as sports live,” he said, reiterating that Netflix’s focus is content you can watch whenever you like. Ultimately, the high price to win the rights for live sports is too much, he said.
“There’s a lot of irrational bidders for sports, we’re not anxious to become another one,” he said.
