The Netflix CEO has revealed the secret behind the phenomenal global success of the hit stalker series Baby Reindeer.
When Baby Reindeer premiered in April, the British show instantly captivated viewers around the world, becoming a mass-discussed cultural phenomenon.
The series, which dramatizes the true story of how comedian Richard Gadd was harassed after he gave a free cup of tea to a woman known as ‘Martha’, is now on track to become one of the most popular series on TV. platform of all time.
But when asked recently about the show’s immense acclaim, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos didn’t single out the powerful story, smart script, or impressive acting.
Instead, he credited Netflix’s “algorithm” and told the New York Times that after the show took off in the UK, it was the platform’s formula that helped it gain popularity in other countries, ultimately making it a global hit.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos (pictured) has revealed that he believes Baby Reindeer’s immense success is due to the streaming service’s ‘algorithm’.
When Baby Reindeer premiered in April, the UK show instantly captivated viewers around the world, becoming a mass-discussed cultural phenomenon.
The show, which dramatizes the true story of how comedian Richard Gadd was harassed by a woman, is on track to become the platform’s most popular series of all time.
“When you see something like Baby Reindeer, there was a time when something like Baby Reindeer wasn’t even seen in the United States,” said the 59-year-old mogul.
And if it did, it would be on PBS once. It’s very, very big in the UK, and the way Netflix does it, it gets picked up in the algorithm and starts showing up more and more.
“When something becomes that big in one country, there’s likely to be a lot of viewership outside of that country. And it’s been a huge hit around the world.”
Ted explained that he believes we are “entering a new era” where “content and great stories can come from almost anywhere in the world.”
The businessman added that writers are learning that “they don’t have to adapt their narrative to the United States to work” thanks to the Netflix algorithm, which is leading to more “authentic” stories.
“The driving thing is: you don’t have to adapt your narrative to America for it to work,” he explained.
‘If your film, if your film works, if your television series works in your country of origin, it has to be very authentic.
‘And I think what the international public perceives is that authenticity. When you try to design something for travel, it doesn’t really appeal to anyone.
But when asked recently about the show’s immense acclaim, Netflix CEO Ted didn’t highlight the powerful story, the clever script, or the impressive acting.
Instead, he gave credit to Netflix’s “algorithm,” telling the New York Times that after the show took off in the U.K., it was the platform’s formula that helped it expand to screens in other countries.
“I can’t think of anything we’ve done that was designed to travel that actually traveled.”
He said it has “made the world a safer place” by “exposing” people to other “cultures,” which in turn makes them “more understanding and empathetic.”
“I think it’s been fantastic for the culture… In a weird way, I think it’s been fantastic for making the world a safer place,” he continued.
‘I think you are exposed to cultures around the world in a way that makes you more understanding and empathetic.
‘I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the movie A Separation of Iran. “It’s the story of a couple getting divorced in Iran, and when you watch it you realize how much we have in common.”
Ted also told the publication that he believes blockbusters Barbie and Oppenheimer would have been “just as big” if they had been released on Netflix instead of in theaters.
‘Both films would be great for Netflix. “They definitely would have enjoyed an equally large audience on Netflix,” he said.
‘I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that certain types of movies work or not (on streaming).
‘There is no reason to believe that the film itself is better on any screen size for all people.
Ted also told the publication that he believes blockbusters Barbie and Oppenheimer would have been “just as big” if they had been released on Netflix instead of in theaters.
Baby Reindeer starred Richard, who also wrote the series, as Donny Dunn, a fictional version of himself, as well as Jessica Gunning as his stalker, Martha Scott.
A woman named Fiona Harvey (seen) came forward and said the stalker depicted on the show is based on her.
‘My son is an editor. He is 28 years old and watched (1962 adventure drama) Lawrence of Arabia on his phone.
Baby Reindeer starred Richard, who also wrote the series, as Donny Dunn, a fictional version of himself, as well as Jessica Gunning as his stalker, Martha Scott.
The program obtained almost 60 million visits in just one month, for Deadline.
Richard said previously Tudum about his decision to turn what he had endured into a spectacle, “In a strange way, I started to feel like this might be a good story throughout the whole ordeal.”
‘It was one of the most intense periods when I was listening to these voicemails. I would go to sleep at night and these voicemails: their words bounced off my eyelids.
“I remember thinking, ‘God, if I ever had to talk about this on stage, I would shoot the words.’ Put the voicemails in a big cacophony and fire them off. “That’s how it was born.”
Since then, a woman named Fiona Harvey has come forward and said the stalker depicted on the show is based on her.
