While Netflix keeps adding new original programming, the budgeting changes to the subscription streaming service's lineup has meant that a lot of syndicated programming has left the service over the past year or so. As it turns out, October will be no exception, and Netflix's announcement this morning reveals that fan-favorite TV series Psych will be leaving Netflix, and soon. The former USA series will get kicked off of Netflix on October 1, along with a few other programs.
Psych originally ran for eight seasons on USA. The dramedy followed a consultant named Shawn who pretends to be a psychic and his pal Gus, who takes the job a whole lot more seriously. Psych was on the air until 2014 on USA, and has lived on in the form of reruns thanks to a lucrative deal with Netflix. The series is also currently on Amazon video, but Netflix has obviously been the bigger platform for the show since it ended its run.
So, why are shows like Psych leaving Netflix at such a rapid-seeming rate? Well, Netflix has been using more of its budget to produce its own originals of late. In addition, Netflix is only contracted to have a show available for streaming for a certain period of time. Once that period is ending, the streaming service has to sign on for a new deal with whatever production company eventually created the series. Sometimes, if shows aren't being watched at a regular rate or if a show wants too much money to sign a new contract, Netflix decides it just isn't worth it. Sometimes, too, shows ultimate make deals with other streaming services. It's a complicated contract world out there, and it's hard to tell exactly what happened in Psych's case.
As noted prior, Psych isn't the only big TV series leaving Netflix this month. Heroes also received its notice, and will no longer be available starting on October 1. Several movies, including Back to the Future and The Interview, will be leaving as well. So if you are partway through binging any of this stuff, you really need to up the ante over the next few days.
Psych follows a number of shows that have left Netflix in recent months, including but not limited to Everybody Loves Raymond, N3mbers and probably most sadly Doctor Who. If you do generally use Netflix to watch or re-watch old shows, it has probably not been the best last few months for you. However, on the bright side, the loss of these series has left more room in the budget for Netflix to produce a slew of originals. You can find out what is coming up with our Netflix TV premiere schedule.
