Brenda Khan
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy show that premiered on Netflix in 2017. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics and fans, the show was canceled after three seasons. The show's cancellation can be attributed to Netflix's cost-plus budget model and decision-making process, which considers audience turnout and critical acclaim. While the show had a dedicated fan base, some viewers may have been hesitant to watch due to the oversaturation of zombie-themed entertainment. The show's marketing campaign in Germany also received backlash for glorifying violence and inducing fear. With the show's cancellation, fans are left wondering if there will ever be a resolution to the story.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show | Santa Clarita Diet |
| Genre | Horror-comedy |
| Plot | A couple living a quiet life in Santa Clarita, California, face a series of obstacles when the wife undergoes a transformation and starts craving human flesh |
| Cancellation | Canceled by Netflix after three seasons due to budget constraints and the business model of attracting new viewers with new shows |
| Fanbase | Well-loved by fans and critics |
| Cast | Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Liv Hewson, Skyler Gisondo, Thomas Lennon, Ramona Young, Sydney Park, Grace Zabriskie, DeObia Oparei, Jonathan Slavin, Joel McHale, Maggie Lawson, Zachary Knighton, Goran Visnjic, Portia de Rossi, Markie Post, Patton Oswalt, Ryan Hansen, Derek Waters, Ravi Patel, Gerald McRaney, Leo Howard, Malcolm Barrett, Kerri Kenney-Silver |
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What You'll Learn
The show's cancellation by Netflix
Netflix's decision to cancel Santa Clarita Diet came as a shock to many fans, especially since the show ended on a cliffhanger. The streaming service confirmed the cancellation of the show in April 2019, after three seasons.
The show's cancellation has been attributed to Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model, where the company pays for a show's production costs upfront, plus a premium of 30% or more of the overall costs. With each new season, the series budget increases, with talent pay increasing from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Netflix's head of original content, Cindy Holland, confirmed that the decision to cut short some shows is based on whether Netflix is getting enough bang for its buck. In the case of Santa Clarita Diet, Netflix executives felt there was no viable reason to continue investing in the show.
The show's cancellation also highlights a defect in the streaming business model, where new shows attract new viewers, but continuations of old shows do not retain viewers. Thus, a new show inheriting the budget and resources of Santa Clarita Diet may have been more attractive to Netflix in terms of gaining new subscribers.
Despite the cancellation, there is a possibility for a revival if viewership picks up, as Netflix has revived shows in the past based on audience demand.
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The show's cost
Netflix's decision to cancel Santa Clarita Diet after three seasons was due to its "cost-plus" budget model. The show's cancellation was not due to a lack of popularity or acclaim; instead, it was a result of Netflix's business model, where new shows attract new viewers, while continuations of old shows do not retain viewers. This means that a new show inheriting the budget and resources of Santa Clarita Diet may have brought in more subscribers for Netflix.
The cost of producing the show likely increased with each season, and Netflix may have decided to allocate their resources to other shows with higher potential for attracting new subscribers. Additionally, Netflix's focus on immediate binge-watchers means that if a show does not gain a significant audience quickly, it might be cancelled in favour of shows that can bring in more subscribers.
While the exact budget for Santa Clarita Diet is not publicly known, it was likely less expensive than shows like The Witcher or Stranger Things. However, it is important to note that the success of a show is not solely determined by its cost, and Netflix's decision to cancel shows considers both audience turnout and critical acclaim.
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Netflix's business model
Netflix's first business model was based on a DVD rental system sent by mail across the United States. However, over time, the company adapted its business model, making a catalog of titles available online. Netflix now operates on a monthly subscription basis, offering unlimited access to a wide range of online streaming content for a fixed fee. This model allows subscribers to enjoy their favourite content without commercials or strict airing schedules.
Netflix's success is due to its ability to follow trends and break standards. The company has a vast content library and a global subscriber base, with over 180 million subscribers worldwide. Netflix's revenue for 2023 was $33.7 billion, and nearly 90% of its total revenue comes from subscriptions. The company's strong revenue streams help offset the high costs of content production and acquisition.
Netflix's decision to cancel the show Santa Clarita Diet may be related to its business model. Some viewers have speculated that the show was cancelled due to increasing production costs associated with longer-running shows. Netflix's business model is designed for two or three-season runs, and the company may prioritize investing in new shows to attract new viewers rather than continuing older shows.
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Netflix's viewership data
Netflix's decision to cancel shows is based on audience turnout and critical acclaim. Netflix does not publicly release its viewership data, and any data on streaming ratings comes from third-party companies like Nielsen. However, it is believed that Netflix only considers the immediate binge-watchers, meaning if a significant audience does not show up within the first month of a show's release, it might be too late to "save" the series.
Santa Clarita Diet was canceled after three seasons due to Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model. Despite its strong critical reception and cult following, the show's budget may have increased with each season, leading to its cancellation. The decision to cancel the show left fans disappointed, especially considering the show's cliffhanger ending.
While Netflix has revived shows in the past based on audience demand, such as Arrested Development, it is unclear if Santa Clarita Diet will receive a revival season.
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The show's premise
The Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy sitcom created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. It stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, a married couple who work as real estate agents in the quiet, suburban town of Santa Clarita, California.
The show centres on the couple's mundane lives, which take a dark turn when Sheila dies and becomes a zombie. As she undergoes a metamorphosis, she starts craving human flesh and her personality becomes more primal and impulsive. The show follows the bewildered family as they seek a cure for her condition while dealing with the consequences, including their neighbours and cultural norms, and trying to get to the bottom of a potentially mythological mystery.
The show received generally positive reviews, with a particular delight in the pairing of Barrymore and Olyphant, and was praised for its world-building and unique approach to a family show. Despite its success and acclaim, the series was cancelled by Netflix after three seasons, with some speculating that it was due to the cost of the show or Netflix's business model, which prioritises new shows over continuing old ones.
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy show that was cancelled in 2019 due to Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model. Netflix's decision to cancel shows is based on audience turnout and critical acclaim.
The show centres on husband and wife real estate team Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives change dramatically when Sheila begins to exhibit zombie-like symptoms and develops a craving for human flesh.
The show's creator, Victor Fresco, wanted to ground the show in reality and give the seemingly perfect Hammond family a giant problem. He also chose the real estate profession for the couple as it forced them to present themselves as happy and friendly despite their lives spiralling out of control.
Despite the show's critical acclaim and popularity among fans, Netflix did not renew it for a fourth season. This was likely due to low viewership, as Netflix tends to favour shows with high completion rates.
Yes, there is a possibility for a revival if viewership increases and makes it seem worthwhile. Netflix has revived shows in the past based on audience demand.
