Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos shared his thoughts on traditional multi-cam sitcoms and why he still believes in their potential. He pointed to The Big Bang Theory as an example of a comedy format that continues to attract viewers. Sarandos noted that sitcoms were a big part of many people’s childhoods, which is why he remains open to supporting multi-cam shows.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos appeared on the podcast What a Joke with Papa and Fortune, where he discussed the latest sitcom following the trend of comedians starring in self-titled shows. He revealed that Leanne Morgan has a new Netflix series produced by sitcom veteran Chuck Lorre: “So we’re doing that right now, with Leanne Morgan’s got a new one coming with Chuck Lorre… I just watched some of the episodes. It’s really funny.”
Sarandos acknowledged that not all Netflix sitcoms have been successful, but the platform is still committed to the format. According to him, they aim to recapture the success of classic multi-cam comedies:
Advertisement I think about it like in that advice years ago someone said about programming: what are the things that you loved growing up that are not around anymore, and should you try them again?
It’s a very cool, kind of rooted storytelling that we’ve been doing since the beginning of time. . . And they’re some of the most valuable things on TV still. You think of The Big Bang Theory and Friends and Seinfeld. And they completely hold up.
Nostalgia plays a big role in the lasting popularity of sitcoms, but strong writing and staying true to the original premise are just as important. Viewers’ love for sitcoms is evident in both classic favorites and newer hits that quickly became part of the streaming era’s cultural landscape. Interestingly, older sitcoms often dominate streaming platforms, holding their place in libraries filled with fresh content.
During the podcast, Sarandos also shared his thoughts on how watching Netflix movies compares to the traditional big-screen experience. His perspective is somewhat controversial, but he argues that television itself was originally created as an alternative to how people watched movies.
From the beginning of television, attendance to movie theaters began to drop, and it’s dropped every year since the ’60s… And then technology evolves. Behaviors evolve. Consumer behavior changes. I do think there’s something very special about it, but thank God it’s not the only way I can see a movie.
Most people don’t live anywhere near a movie theater. So this idea, and an interesting fact is that the average American consumer sees two movies a year in a movie theater. The average Netflix member watches seven movies a month.
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While television has its place, most movies are made with the big screen in mind. With few exceptions, most filmmakers likely prefer their work to be experienced in theaters rather than on a small screen. Sarandos addressed this as well, acknowledging the inevitable shift in the industry’s business model.
I talk to a lot of directors and I totally respect that they, a lot of them grew up and this was their dream, to have the gigantic screen and a room full of strangers. All those things are all… It’s just, it’s a very tough business model anymore. And I just feel like, I hope it is always around as an option. I just think it will be more and more challenging.
Source: IndieWire / Cinema Blend