The subscription-based streaming service, Netflix, has recently been pulling a wide variety of shows from its platform, leaving many viewers disappointed. Some of the shows have been long-running, but others were cut after only one season. With all the recent removals, many people are left wondering why so many of their favorite shows are being pulled off the platform. 

American entrepreneurs Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph first created Netflix in 1997, but the company did not offer its online subscription service until 1999. Originally, a person could order a title and it would be sent to their home. That changed in 2007, when Netflix started offering the option to stream some of its movies and shows from the internet at home, according to Britannica. Now, Netflix has 182.8 million subscribers as of April, which makes it one of the world’s largest streaming platforms, according to the  New York Times.

Some notable shows leaving the platform or have already left are The Office, Lucifer, GLOW, Gracie and Frank, and many more. 

“Netflix licenses TV shows and movies from studios around the world. Though we strive to keep the titles you want to watch, some titles do leave Netflix because of licensing agreements. Whenever a TV show or movie license is expiring, we consider things such as: Are the rights to the title still available?” states Netflix. 

The company has to cut shows from the streaming service if it is either gaining or losing the rights to certain movies and shows on the service, according to Decider.

Senior Alyssa Packer shares her thoughts on the cancellations.

 “I feel a little bummed when Netflix takes off a show, especially one that I was going to watch. I was planning on watching Pride and Prejudice, but they took it off at the end of 2020, which sucks,” Alyssa said. “Certain shows being removed will impact it [Netflix] more than others. Pride and Prejudice wouldn’t affect it too much. However, a show like The Office being taken off, I think will definitely have less people watching Netflix less.”

Senior Hailey Williams had a different reaction when she found out about the cancellations. 

“I was upset when I found out that many of my favorite shows were being removed from Netflix, but I’m hoping they can be picked up by another company or streaming service to continue there.”

Hailey continues to talk about her thoughts on the platform.

 “I think it will turn people away. Especially if they get rid of popular shows and movies that are then moved to another service like Hulu or Disney+.”

As Netflix continues to remove shows, it also continues to bring new content onto the platform. They release new seasons, original shows, and movies every month so there is a new, steady stream of content. No matter what shows are taken off, there’s always something new to fill its place.