It’s barely been a month since the release of KAOS on Netflix, but word is already going around that the show has been cancelled just after one season.
With some fans hoping that the series would have been given time to find its audience, reactions are now coming out online for Netflix—and honestly, every streaming platform—canceling projects before they’re given any time to grow.
Netflix Cancellations Galore
Following the announcement that KAOS has been canceled, Twitter has been filled with all of these comments about Netflix’s recent practice of canceling shows when they don’t meet the level of hype that’s expected of properties like Stranger Things and Squid Game.
Some say that it’s become a constant practice for the streaming model, as priority has now been given to shows that are bingeable and feel like overnight hits. Here are some posts from fans:
What’s interesting is this bit from the series Barry is making the rounds where a well-regarded series is cancelled by an executive because the show didn’t meet the requirements of the ‘algorithm’ despite connecting with critics. Check this out:
The First of Many
KAOS isn’t the only series to get abruptly cancelled this year as it seems that the chance for shows to gain their footing is becoming smaller and smaller.
Shows like Disney’s The Acolyte had gained a massive outcry online when it was cancelled. Other shows that didn’t get to make it past the first season include American Born Chinese and Time Bandits.
Not to mention Netflix has also cancelled some well-acclaimed shows before they could be ended properly. Fans are still crying about the loss of great series like Mindhunter and GLOW; there is also the case of animated series getting canceled like Tuca & Bertie as well as the highly-reviewed Inside Job.
This Could Hurt in the Long Run
When it comes to these cancellations, some have been saying that Netflix is getting a bit short sighted, only greenlighting projects that are instant overnight hits. While this does work from a business standpoint, some say that this breeds some bad faith with the audience, and a lot of fans are starting to think that it may not be worth investing any time in a Netflix series if the chances that they’re going to cancel something are becoming increasingly high.
If anything, it does seem like this is a certain low point in the Streaming Wars, but some think that there could be a turning point coming soon. Whether it be the studios figuring out how to balance budget and expectations or finding out the right formula for marketing to an intended audience; there are years of information of what’s happened with successful and failed shows, and from that the studios can find the best way to move forward without having to jump the gun as much.
Binging used to be a thing when streaming services were just starting out, but now fans know there’s value in weekly releases. This just means a new tweak is now required to better fit into this streaming business model.
For now, catch the first season of KAOS now on Netflix.