Netflix Is Deleting More Content - And That Should Scare You
Netflix is removing its last two interactive specials, highlighting a growing threat to media preservation as streaming platforms quietly delete original content with no physical backup.
News dropped today that Netflix will be removing the last two interactive specials from their catalog. Both Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend were “choose your own adventure” style episodes where users could make selections that changed the story. They were fairly successful and popular, with Bandersnatch actually taking home an Emmy for Best TV Movie and Kimmy Schmidt being nominated for two Emmys. The new season of Black Mirror even included a follow-up episode to Bandersnatch, making this all even more confusing.
However, as of May 12th, they’ll be gone - possibly forever. Netflix doesn’t release physical media for their programming (at least not since Season 2 of Stranger Things), and with both of these being Netflix properties, they’ll simply not be viewable through any traditional means. Netflix is deleting content and removing access, which should be a huge red flag for anyone who cares about media preservation. They may survive through pirated copies or torrents, but this behavior is an alarming trend from streaming services that should worry everyone interested in film and entertainment.
Years ago, films were lost because the reels disappeared. Maybe they were destroyed in a fire. Maybe they’re sitting in a garage somewhere waiting to be discovered. That was more common in the early days of cinema, when there were no physical media backups. Once home video came along, a lot of movies were saved by having a VHS or Beta copy floating around - something that could eventually be restored and remastered for modern audiences. I would like to think we’ve moved past that. Between all of the physical media formats, digital files, cloud storage, and redundant backups, it seems like nothing should get lost these days.
But streaming content isn’t protected like that, at least for consumers.
Most streaming titles don’t have a physical release, and the streamers own the rights. Sure, they likely have a digital backup somewhere, but who knows if it’s being maintained. The next generation of lost films won’t be about reels degrading in a basement. It’ll be about content providers pressing delete and never offering a way for audiences to access that work again. If Netflix or Max or Hulu were to shut down tomorrow, what happens to all that content if it wasn’t backed up properly? Media preservation is essential, and I don’t think these tech companies are seriously considering that when they make these decisions.
My fear is that we could lose decades of shows and movies. We’ve already seen it happen. Mike Flanagan’s popular film HUSH was removed from Netflix and then remained unavailable for years while Flanagan worked out new distribution. He was lucky enough to have the rights. But what if he didn’t? Where would that movie be now? This trend should be raising serious red flags for anyone who cares about film history and preserving this art form.
When these massive companies own our media, who keeps them in check? Who watches the Watchmen? It’s a serious issue that needs a solution, and filmmakers should be cautious when dealing with these platforms. They should do everything they can to retain some form of ownership or ensure they can release their projects elsewhere if Netflix removes them, like Flanagan was able to do with HUSH. That was a different era of Netflix he worked with, and even now, he’s asked for his shows to get a physical release and has been told flat-out: no interest.
Streaming is a revolutionary content delivery system. It’s brought more films to more people than ever before, and opened up new opportunities for creators. But the downsides should concern us. Without physical copies, without ownership, and without accountability, these companies can start to literally delete film history.
The number of modern shows that aren't getting a physical release is upsetting.
Even some of the most popular series don't receive a Bluray release. Some that I'd kill to get a complete series on Bluray or 4K are The Queen's Gambit, Stranger Things, White Lotus, Barry, and Handmaid's Tale. Just for starters.
It feels like the percentage of new shows that are released on Blu-ray/4K is getting smaller all the time. Which is sad for those who value true ownership, media preservation, and/or watching art in the best A/V format possible.
To some degree, I understand that unpopular series that only receive one or two seasons may not be profitable for businesses to release on physical media. (Though, as you say, Jeff, there should still be options for consumer preservation. Maybe an option to purchase a digital license.)
And, now, even many movies don't receive a physical media release, especially if they were a Netflix project. It's a disturbing era in this regard, for sure.
All I know to do is vote with my bank account. I try to purchase as many streaming shows that interest me on Bluray/4K as I can. (And, of course, many movies.)
I'd be shocked if they were fully deleting shows. Even if a streaming company goes under, if they have original shows and films they own the rights to, the intellectual property in those are hugely valuable assets. No half smart company would delete their assets without maximizing the value at the end. You see this play out in a lot of tech companies where the last thing left in the company are accountants and patents. If Netflix was merely deleting assets that would probably be a good reason for a shareholder lawsuit. Hopefully they'll bring removed content back in some form, and hopefully release more physical media someday. but with the interactive assets maybe they aren't keeping the tech that enables them around?