Leena Watts
Santa Clarita Diet was a hit with critics and fans alike, but it was cancelled by Netflix after three seasons due to the company's cost-plus budget model. Netflix's decision to cancel shows is based on audience turnout and critical acclaim, and despite the show's success, it was not enough to outweigh the production costs. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, was \blindsided\ by the cancellation, recalling how he was in the process of editing season 3 when he learned that the sets were being dismantled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the show | Santa Clarita Diet |
| Streaming platform | Netflix |
| Genre | Horror-comedy, black comedy, horror sitcom |
| Number of seasons | 3 |
| Reason for cancellation | Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model, low audience turnout |
| Fan reaction | Disappointment, heartbreak |
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What You'll Learn
Netflix's cost-plus budget model
Netflix's decision to cancel Santa Clarita Diet, a show starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, was met with disappointment from fans, especially since the third season ended on a cliffhanger. The cancellation has been attributed to Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model, which takes into account audience turnout and critical acclaim.
Netflix's "cost-plus" model covers the cost of production and includes an additional fee, typically 30% or more, on top. This model differs from traditional TV networks, where the network airing the show pays a lower percentage of the production cost, and the production company makes money through licensing deals and syndication. The "cost-plus" model has been adopted by other streaming platforms like Amazon and Apple, giving them a competitive edge in the market.
Under the "cost-plus" model, Netflix pays for a show's production costs upfront, plus a premium. With each new season, the budget increases due to pay bumps for writers, actors, and crew, as well as backend costs. This model can make it challenging for traditional TV networks to compete with Netflix during contract talks with production companies.
While Netflix's model offers a more attractive upfront deal for creators, it also means that Netflix seizes more of the revenue on big hits. Creators may sign away a significant portion of their future revenue opportunities, which can result in millions of dollars going to Netflix. This aspect of the "cost-plus" model may impact the profitability of original series for production companies and influence the continuation or cancellation of shows.
Netflix's budget model, combined with its subscription-based revenue, allows the company to make decisions independently of advertisers. This freedom gives show creators more flexibility and autonomy in their creative process. Netflix's subscription plans range from $8 to $25 monthly, with additional costs for extra members or users outside the household.
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The show's production costs
Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled by Netflix in 2019 after three seasons. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, was shocked and disappointed by the cancellation, especially as the third season ended on a cliffhanger.
Netflix's decision to cancel the show was likely influenced by a combination of factors, including viewing figures, critical acclaim, and, most notably, production costs. Netflix operates under a "cost-plus" budget model, where the company pays for a show's production costs upfront, plus a premium of 30% or more. As a result, the budget increases with each new season, and the cost increase from season 2 to season 3 is significant.
While the show received generally positive reviews and had a loyal fan base, it appears that the production costs were too high for Netflix to justify renewing it for a fourth season. This is a common issue with streaming services, as they often have to make tough decisions about which shows to renew and cancel based on their budgets and the potential return on investment.
It's important to note that Netflix doesn't release viewing figures, so it's challenging to determine exactly how popular the show was. However, the fact that it was cancelled suggests that the viewership was not high enough to offset the increasing production costs.
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Lack of promotion
Santa Clarita Diet was a show on Netflix starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as a married couple who are real estate agents. The show was well-received by critics and fans, with an approval rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average rating of 7.20/10. Despite its success, the show was canceled after three seasons, with many fans expressing disappointment and frustration.
One possible reason for the show's cancellation could be a lack of promotion and advertising. Some fans of the show claimed that they never saw it advertised anywhere except on the Netflix "screen saver". They felt that Netflix did not promote the show enough, and this may have contributed to lower viewership and the show's eventual cancellation.
In addition to the lack of promotion, Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model may have also played a role in the show's cancellation. With each new season, the budget increases due to pay raises for writers, actors, and crew, as well as increased backend costs. This can make it difficult for shows to continue beyond three seasons, as the cost increase becomes significant.
Furthermore, Netflix has a history of canceling shows after three seasons, and Santa Clarita Diet fell victim to this practice. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, was "`blindsided`" by the cancellation and felt that Netflix's decision was unexpected and sudden.
While the exact reasons for the lack of promotion remain unknown, it is possible that Netflix felt the show was not performing well enough to justify additional marketing spend. Additionally, Netflix's business model may have contributed to their decision to cancel the show, as they often prioritize new and controversial content over completing critically acclaimed shows.
In conclusion, the lack of promotion for Santa Clarita Diet may have been a contributing factor in its cancellation. However, it is important to consider that Netflix's business model and budget constraints also played a role in their decision to end the show after three seasons.
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Netflix's cancellation of original content
Netflix's decision to cancel "Santa Clarita Diet" has been attributed to its "cost-plus" budget model, where production costs increase with each new season, and the company pays a premium of 30% or more on top of these costs. This model creates a significant financial disincentive to renew shows beyond three seasons, even if they are popular with subscribers. Netflix's cancellation of the show has led to criticism from fans, who feel that the company is not respecting their audience and is instead choosing to renew more controversial shows.
The cancellation of "Santa Clarita Diet" is not an isolated incident, as Netflix has also cancelled other original shows such as "GLOW" and "Locke & Key" after three seasons. This has left some subscribers feeling hesitant to start new Netflix originals, as they fear investing time and emotions in a show that may be abruptly cancelled. Netflix's original content model has been described as "a contradiction", as the company has saved some shows from cancellation on other platforms, such as Lucifer and Star Trek: Prodigy, but has also cancelled many of its own shows prematurely.
While Netflix does not typically release viewing figures, it has been speculated that "Santa Clarita Diet" was cancelled due to low audience turnout, despite its critical acclaim and dedicated fanbase. The show's unique premise centred on a married couple, Joel and Sheila Hammond, who are real estate agents leading seemingly normal lives until Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh. The dark comedy and gore of the show, combined with the engaging performances of Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, initially attracted positive reviews and a loyal following.
However, the combination of production costs and potentially low viewership ultimately led to Netflix's decision to cancel "Santa Clarita Diet". This cancellation, along with others, highlights the challenges faced by mid-level and modest streaming shows in securing renewals, even when they have found their niche audience.
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Viewer disappointment
Fans of Santa Clarita Diet were left disappointed and heartbroken when the show was cancelled by Netflix after three seasons. The show, starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, followed a married couple who are real estate agents and face a series of challenges when the wife becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh.
The show received positive reviews from critics and had a loyal following, with many viewers expressing their disappointment and frustration over the cancellation. Some viewers felt that Netflix did not promote the show enough, and that the decision to end the show on a cliffhanger was a cruel blow.
One fan commented, "I got emotionally invested in Santa Clarita Diet, that's why it broke my heart when it got cancelled :( I'm still heartbroken actually". Another said, "I felt they were blaming the audience too. They barely promoted the show! Netflix will fail especially if they have a huge library of unfinished content".
The show's creator, Victor Fresco, also expressed his disappointment, saying that he was blindsided by the cancellation. He recalled that he was in the process of editing season 3 when he learned that the sets were being dismantled, indicating that the show would not be returning.
Despite the disappointment from fans and critics, the decision to cancel the show was likely due to Netflix's "'cost-plus' budget model", which takes into account audience turnout and critical acclaim. With each new season, the budget increases due to pay increases for writers, actors, and crew, making it challenging for mid-level shows to get extended runs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled in 2019 after three seasons.
Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled due to Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model. The show's production costs were high, and the audience turnout was not enough to outweigh these costs.
The creator of Santa Clarita Diet, Victor Fresco, found out about the cancellation when he was informed that the sets were being dismantled.
Yes, there was some backlash from fans of the show who were disappointed to see it end, especially since the third season ended on a cliffhanger. Some fans also felt that Netflix did not promote the show enough.
