Over the past seven years since the show's cancellation, "Arrested Development" has become a wildly successful cult classic. It certainly helps that Netflix streams every episode of all three seasons for free on its 'Watch Instantly' channel, but the relationship has gone both ways. The show has proven to boost the websites traffic and has fans coming back again and again.
Now, as the brand new season four of "Arrested Development" approaches its exclusive May release on Netflix, the company discusses its future plans for the series. According to Entertainment Weekly, Netflix may take down the first three seasons upon the release of the fourth. Netflix will simultaneously release all 14 episodes of season four exclusively on 'Watch Instantly' in May.
"It's really a fantastic one-off which is coming together incredibly, and I think it will be amazing for us, but think of it as a non-repeatable amazing," said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.
Netflix is "trying to figure out a real mechanism where we can build shows and develop franchises over the long term... 'Arrested Development' is a wildly successful tactic, as opposed to fundamental to the strategy."
"Arrested Development" originally aired on Fox, but after the show's cancellation, Netflix took over as its main distributor. Since then, Netflix has developed and exclusively released its own programs all at once. It released its newest series, "House of Cards," on Feb. 13 all at once, allowing viewers to binge watch as they please.
In its first few weeks, "House of Cards" has been received generously and is exponentially gaining popularity, according to Global Post. By releasing the entire season at once, viewers have a chance to watch at their own pace and rewatch episodes as they please. It's a unique, never-before-seen template, and it's working.
"Netflix was wise to release 'House of Cards' all at once," said Fordham University's media studies professor Paul Levinson. "Allowing viewers to see as many episodes as they want, on their schedule and not Netflix's, plays right into the revolution in television that's happening right before our very eyes."
The true benefits of Netflix's new strategy will become more apparent as time passes. The exclusive, simultaneous release of "Arrested Development" season four promises to be an intelligent marketing decision; fans are drooling for their first taste of new episodes. As for now, get as much "AD" as you can before the first three seasons dry up.
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