Unless they pay big bucks to license their streaming service, it looks like Netflix is going to lose out on some of its most popular TV shows in the next few years. which include AMC’s Breaking Bad franchise.
Even though Breaking Bad and these other shows are growing in popularity thanks to Netflix, the studios that originally produced them have their own streaming services now. As a result, they now have an opportunity to broadcast their shows, and it looks like they will take that opportunity.
According to The Wrap, shows like Breaking Bad, Community, New Girl, 30 Rock, NCIS, and How To Get Away With Murder are among the shows that Netflix could lose in the next few years. They can keep them if they want to pay more for a license to run them, but that remains to be seen now that they have so many competing services. While Breaking Bad’s deal with Netflix will expire on March 10, 2025, the rest of the shows listed must have their licenses with Netflix expire before 2024 ends. The public is willing to stream on Peacock just like other popular NBC sitcoms like The Office and Friends, but then again, Netflix could pay to keep licensing it. They could do the same with Breaking Bad and its prequel Better Call Saul, but they would have to pay a lot of money to keep them around.
The biggest shame of all of this is that Netflix played a big part in how some of these shows got the popularity they now enjoy. Breaking Bad is probably the first and best example of this. Although Breaking Bad was a well-received show in its prime, it didn’t become very popular until it began streaming on Netflix in the early 2010s. At the end of its final season, the Nielsen ratings for the show soared. Breaking Bad’s newfound success came thanks to Netflix, which paved the way for other shows to be added to the service to become more popular. That has also encouraged other networks to develop their own streaming services in the coming years. So, it seemed that this day would come one way or another.
Unfortunately, Netflix is being punished for changing the way television viewers consume content. Because the streaming service is an easy way to be hacked by other countries, and because it is a very lucrative service, it was only a matter of time before Netflix had to lose its series. Streaming services, in general, have changed the game when it comes to watching shows. People no longer have to DVR their favorite show or tune into the channel it’s on when they know they can watch it immediately or months from now.
So don’t be surprised if Netflix continues to announce its content with these programs that are planned from the next few years. Netflix has done a solid job of creating their own content with shows like Ozark, Bojack Horseman, and Stranger Things, just to name a few, but not every show they’ve made is well received. With Breaking Bad and various other shows on the network likely to leave the service, the pressure is on to make great Netflix shows to replace them. Time will tell if they will be up to the task.
Breaking Bad can currently be streamed on Netflix.
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