CUT! Netflix sacrifices shows to le Guillotine - But Not Yours!!

Stop the bleeding! Netflix hemorrhaged no less than 16 shows in 2017 and more are heading for the chopping block, according to reports. Even dear old House of Cards was sent packing.

But why all this dumping? Especially after just gorging on a series binge shopping spree?

Netflix, like most business behemoths, is practicing that age-old business school maxim - "see if it sticks". Flush with over $7 billion in cash to buy any series it wants, Netflix isn't losing anything by buying and "returning". They're willing and financially able to try, even after they buy. They're also able to kick any show to the curb with no fear of backlash (they've all but cornered the streaming market).

So how do you make sure your soon to be binge-worthy Netflix series runs over that coveted 4 season mark? Here are four ways to make your streaming series uncancelable! :)

1) Flexi-Script. It all starts with the writing (as you know). Make sure that the story and characters have the same bounce as a new tennis ball. Don't expect to use that same entry-level plot (or sub-plot) to keep audiences interested beyond those first 6 episodes. Expand, innovate and always be prepared to add some fresh faces.

2) Speaking of Audiences...Audiences Speak. That is to say they complain if they don't like certain shows. PAY ATTENTION to the tweets and blogs (especially mine) to get a sense of how audiences are reacting and rating.

3) Plan for Scandal. I'm not saying any names, but if even the whiff of a personal moral failure impacts your star, your show is going down. Plan an exit (i.e. spin-off) strategy so that the Captain doesn't take the entire ship down.

4) The Next Trend is...Do your due diligence to find out what could be the next hot thing to watch. Period dramas are smoking hot right now. But what about by Christmas 2018? Major film studios plan their film release schedule several years in advance so if you want to get an idea of what shows will be popular in 2019-2020, start there.

Unfortunately, we can't resurrect those dead series, but I have a feeling that they will have a new life very soon in the streaming series hereafter...

Did this help you? Let me know in the comments!