No one really knows other than Netflix execs. A lot has to do with the cost of the show per viewer. It’s why HBO/Discovery is filling up with reality programming (cheap to produce). You can have a great show and it can end up in the top ten, but if it costs too much to make then the network has to figure out if production costs can be cut. Or if costs can be offset by product placement.
Streamers shifting to ad-based plans also changes things. You can now have a premium program that’s a “loss leader” if it brings in enough subscriptions that also watch the cheap programming and existing back catalog. The additional eyeballs on ads means more cash intake for the network which balances out the more expensive shows.
radix@lemmy.world 4 months ago
They recently started releasing viewing data for all shows in six months intervals.
…netflix.com/…/what-we-watched-a-netflix-engageme…
That sounds like the report for the first half of 2023, but also has a link to the second half.
Their exact criteria will probably change depending on a number of factors, but one could look up figures for a cancelled show to get some idea of what isn’t good enough.