In early 2013, Netflix took its first major step into original programming by greenlighting House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, and a reboot of the delightfully arch comedy, Arrested Development. Cards and Orange became cultural phenomenons and awards magnets, but in many ways, Arrested proved to be the prototype for the content strategy that would define Netflix for years. It was an obsessively beloved but low-rated sitcom that offered more retention value and brand appeal on a nascent streamer than on Fox, where it had been canceled after three seasons. It was, as Ted Sarandos spoke about in a 2019 interview with the Television Academy Foundation, the perfect show for the then-nouveau binge release model, and it’s credited as a key title in convincing Netflix to pursue original TV programming instead of just hoarding library content.
Try Puck for free
Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.
Already a member? Log In
- Daily articles and breaking news
- Personal emails directly from our authors
- Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
- Unlimited access to archives
- Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
- Exclusive access to Puck merch
- Early bird access to new editorial and product features
- Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors
Exclusive to Inner Circle only
Latest Articles from Hollywood
Will the U.K. Try to Out-Bonta WarnerMount?
Armie Hammer Is Sad About His Own Comeback Vehicle
An Unholy Legal War Over ‘The Chosen’
Don’t Bet on the Comcast-NBCUniversal Split Actually Happening
The Truth About the A24 A.I. Panic
Would the Ellisons Give Up CNN to Get WarnerMount Done?
The Oncoming Hollywood-D.C. Car Crash Over A.I.
Get access to this story
Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.
Latest Articles from Hollywood
Amazon–Altman Aftershocks & Mike ’n’ Pam’s J6 Movie Questions
Amazon Is Dumping Its Sam Altman Movie
Netflix’s Invincible Era Ends and More Burning Questions in Hollywood
The New Mayor of Roku City
How Ticketmaster’s Legal Nemesis Will Make Millions
‘Toy Story’ vs. ‘Minions’ Is the War Hollywood Wants
Kimmel Is Filling the Colbert Void
You have 1 free article Left
To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →
Already a member? Log In
Get access to this story
Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.
Already a Member? Sign in
Latest Articles from Hollywood
Fox’s Creator Studios Doesn’t Care Where You Watch… as Long as You’re Watching
Netflix’s “Dark Patterns” & A New Legal Front in the Platform Wars
Bari’s War of Ideology & How Scorsese Embraced A.I.
At What Point Will Ellison Intervene at CBS News?
Ellison’s Legal Gladiator Is Ready for War
Letters from the HollyTube Revolution