Netflix’s CEO credits it with its record-breaking success Reindeer baby To the algorithms, more than to its shocking plot, performances or screenplay.
The series – which follows a struggling comedian who is relentlessly harassed and stalked by a woman for over four years – instantly captured audiences in Britain and beyond, and is on track to become one of Netflix’s most popular series of all time.
Viewers and critics praised the series’ unique plot, which was inspired by true events in the life of Richard Gadd (35 years old), who also plays the hero.
However, when Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was asked about its success, he opined that the series owed its popularity to the streaming service’s algorithm. flow And not for its creative properties.
“There was a time when something like Baby Reindeer wasn’t seen in the United States,” he said. The New York Times.
“And if it had been watched, it would have been on PBS all at once. “It’s very, very popular in the UK, and with the way Netflix works, the algorithm picks it up and it starts to pop up more and more.”
“When something is very popular in one country, it is likely to have a large audience outside of it. It has been a huge hit all over the world.”
He added that thanks to the Netflix algorithm, screenwriters are learning that they don’t have to adapt to the American environment, which is why more “original” stories are being written from “almost anywhere in the world.”
The 59-year-old director stressed the importance of authenticity when presenting material to a global audience, which is important Reindeer baby It prides itself on being based on true events.
“What it suggests is: You don’t have to adapt the narrative to the United States for it to work,” he said. “If your film works, if your TV series works in your home country, it has to be very original.”
“And I think what attracts global audiences is that authenticity. When you try to design something to reach audiences everywhere, no one likes that. “I can’t think of anything we’ve designed for audiences in different places that has actually worked.”
Although Gad and Netflix described the series as a true story, the pressure increased on Netflix to prove the allegations made about the stalker called Martha in the series.
Fans were quick to identify the “real Martha” as Scottish barrister Fiona Harvey, who claimed she wanted to “set the record straight” about details surrounding the series during an interview with Piers Morgan.
He has since threatened to sue the service flow For alleged defamation after the series suggested “Martha” was a convicted stalker.
The series’ creator, Richard Gadd, defended the series, describing it as “emotional truth” and criticized the Internet investigators who searched for Harvey.
During his interview with Piers Morgan, which has received more than 10 million views on YouTube, Harvey denied having any criminal convictions and charged that the Netflix series’ suggestion that he did was “defamatory”.
Piers Morgan also hinted at a lack of evidence when he justified his controversial interview with Harvey.
“Thinker. Professional twitter fanatic. Certified introvert. Troublemaker. Unapologetic zombie maven.”