Jason Hirschhorn of REDEF interviewed Netflix CCO Ted Sarandos one year ago at the Upfront Summit 2020.
Even though this is from the pre-pandemic past, the insights are insightful.
Speaking to Netflix’s international reach, Ted says:
“I think people really want to see their stories; they really want to see themselves on screen.”
As to their reach, he claims:
“We can find a great story from anywhere in the world and make it play anywhere in the world.”
He says there are only two reasons people watch Netflix:
- to connect, or
- to escape.
The reason why Netflix does not specialize:
“Tastes are incredibly diverse; you don’t have to leave Netflix as your tastes evolve.”
My take: to connect or to escape. I interpret that as Tragedy or Comedy. It all boils down to a good story well told.