Netflix wants people to chill.
Folks on social media have been in a tizzy this week after reports suggested the streamer will begin releasing series at the historical television rate of one episode per week, rather than dropping entire seasons at once for viewers to gulp in one go.
In response, Netflix deployed on Twitter to let people know: No, it’s definitely not planning to put out the next season of Stranger Things or She-Ra and the Princesses of Power in serialized form. What’s actually happening is that Netflix is planning a staggered release schedule for its upcoming music talent show Rhythm + Flow, “in hopes of keeping [the] winner a surprise,” the streamer tweeted. The 10-episode series, which features judges Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and TI, begins airing Oct. 9.
Netflix also called attention to the fact that it’s always released some licensed shows, like The Great British Bake Off, at a rate of one episode per week. That’s because Netflix distributes seasons of some shows while they’re still airing live on TV. For example, new episodes of Bake Off air each week in the U.K., and then shortly after, Netflix distributes them to U.S. viewers.
Netflix added that one episode per week is “not happening with more shows” right now. However, considering Netflix is pushing into more competition shows (in addition to making Rhythm + Flow, it recently produced Blown Away, a glassblowing competition hosted by YouTuber Nick Uhas), it’s possible that if the Rhythm + Flow weekly episode drop test goes well, that could be Netflix’s competition show formula moving forward. But those worried about whether it’ll happen with Netflix-made scripted and non-competition shows can apparently put their concerns to bed.
Continuing to drop full seasons in one go is something Netflix may want to hold on to as a differentiator, considering Disney announced last week that original series for its upcoming streaming service Disney+ will all go out at a rate of one per week, keeping viewers around — and continuing to pay $6.99 per month — to see how Loki (six episodes) and The Mandalorian (eight episodes) conclude.
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