With the release of Stranger Things 4, Netflix wrapped a gift as a perfect opportunity to delve into weekly releases, without it seeming that people like Disney + had made them “blink”.
But Netflix, on the other hand, dropped Netflix and dropped the first seven episodes (again) on May 27, suggesting that perhaps nothing will ever force the broadcast giant to consider weekly releases.
The arrival of Stranger Things 4 could have been a perfect test case, or even a fun “single” – to publish episodes weekly. Because, in addition to the fact that it offered the first new episodes of the supernatural thriller in almost three years (!), The “weight” of the same season almost demanded a specialized showcase.
What do we mean by weight? Well, only twice before an episode of Stranger Things exceeded 60 minutes, with the end of season 2 and 3. But between the first seven episodes of season 4, the shortest delivery is 63 minutes, the average is 77 minutes and episode 7 lasts one hour and 38 minutes.
But wait, there is (much) more. The last two episodes of this season, which premiere on Friday, July 1, are 85 minutes long and … two hours and 30 minutes respectively. That is, yes, the end of season 4 is noticeably longer than Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness or Top Gun: Maverick, which are real releases.
Given the XL and intense nature of each and every episode of Season 4, in addition to the aforementioned that awaits them, no one would have taken a look if Netflix had chosen to deviate from its standard of ‘binge, launch weekly episodes and start the public relations machine. to promote Stranger Things 4 as a “very special presentation / experience” or something. (There would also have been a five-week wait for episodes 8/9.)
In turn, Stranger Things could have benefited from an ongoing weekly online discussion, rather than the commitment of the “reverse hockey stick” that usually causes its series, that is, a significant buzz around the release weekend, which then quickly runs out.
Also, for those who can’t or don’t want to get fed up with nine hours of a horror thriller as soon as possible, the weekly releases could have greatly avoided the chance of being accidentally spoiled for later episodes. .
Please note that Netflix has not been chained to compulsive releases. Stranger Things 4, for good reason, was split into two lots, as were the farewell races of Ozark and Grace and Frankie. And most of his reality TV shows post a few episodes at a time, for several weeks. But no Netflix original with a live-action script has come close to mimicking the weekly programming of partners like Disney + (which enjoys constant coverage / speculation / publishing for its Marvel and Star Wars series) , HBO Max (where such Hacks and The Flight Assistant constantly amassed awards and (in some cases) Prime Video.
But if Netflix didn’t test the weekly releases with a project as prominent as Stranger Things 4, where again, due to various factors, no one would have questioned the change, will it ever?
What do you think: Stranger Things 4 would have benefited in several ways from the weekly releases? If you’ve already done so, would you have preferred the intense, more than an hour-long episodes to “scatter”?