Netflix’s The Witcher was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? I enjoyed Cavill’s stoic Geralt, and didn’t find the twisted timelines especially confusing, though I’m not as fond of the condensed stories and frankly awful dialogue writing. I think the show tried to do too much in to short a span. Muddying what could and rightly should have been a more profound, protracted experience. Still enjoyed the heck out of it though – and it seems that many, many others did.
According to Netflix’s latest earnings reports (sent out to shareholders), The Witcher’s on track to be Netflix’s most successful first Season of anything, ever.
“During December, we also launched The Witcher, which is tracking to be our biggest season one TV series ever. Through its first four weeks of release, 76 million member households chose to watch this action-packed fantasy, starring Henry Cavill,” Netflix says. “As a testament to how our hit content can penetrate the global zeitgeist and influence popular culture, the show’s launch drove up sales of The Witcher books and games around the world, and spawned a viral musical hit.”
Toss a coin to you…oh god not again. By way of comparison, other Netflix originals have done well, but not quite as well. While they’re for later seasons, Season 2 of the stalkery psychological thriller You is expected to net 54 million account views within its first month, while Season 3 of The Crown had 21 million people catching up on royal affairs from decades ago – up 40 per cent over the last season.
It’s just a reminder that Netflix not only makes and funds some exceptional content, but that people are actually watching it. As for what’s coming up this year, according to Netflix there’s a lot in store for Q1’20:
“Great content grows engagement among our members, which we believe drives word-of-mouth, improves retention and grows paid memberships. We have many exciting releases for Q1’20 including returning seasons of Sex Education, Altered Carbon, Narcos: Mexico, the Spanish series Elite and Korean historical zombie thriller Kingdom, as well as action film Spenser Confidential (starring Mark Wahlberg) and the movie sequel To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. New original series include the recently released Messiah and the buzzy docu-series Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez and the upcoming I Am Not Okay with This.”
Last Updated: January 22, 2020
Kromas
January 22, 2020 at 08:33
Netflix has a throw it at the wall approach.
Sometimes it works and sometimes you get Fuller House or Real Rob.
Geoffrey Tim
January 22, 2020 at 08:42
Fuller house is apparently…really popular. god knows why.
Kromas
January 22, 2020 at 08:42
Really??!! Damn I am out of touch. I much prefer Santa Clarita diet. Now that is a show I can consume like the living dead.
Geoffrey Tim
January 22, 2020 at 09:25
Unfortunately cancelled after S3. Pity, because I loved it.
Kromas
January 22, 2020 at 09:25
Oh well. Picard starts in 2 days. Not Netflix but meh.
Yozzie
January 22, 2020 at 08:42
Toss a coin to your Witcher…and toss a brick to the director in charge of timeline jumps.
Dresden
January 22, 2020 at 09:00
You’ll have to toss a brick at the author then as well. Be fair when stoning people at least.
Tbone187
January 22, 2020 at 09:37
Was pretty good but the ending was flat imo and the rewatch value just isn’t there. Seems they were looking for ways to avoid showing us more monsters. Cavill actually does a good job. The strong silent type character definitely suits him. Could actually picture him in a Crow movie, or even Spawn.
HairyEwok
January 22, 2020 at 09:42
Toss your coins to Netflix, we need more seasons, we need more seasons ohhhhhh.
G8crasha
January 22, 2020 at 09:42
I saw Altered Carbon, and I’m like: YES!!!!!!
RinceThis
January 22, 2020 at 11:15
Netflix also makes and funds exceptional shit. Like Another life, Nightflyers and Vwars (shudder). But this is good. Even though I thought the first season had some major issues (let’s camp the wrong side of a bridge) it allows for better seasons.