Netflix is known for its comedy specials, dramas, films, and documentaries, but could the streaming giant one day be known for its news coverage? The world may soon find out as rumors are swirling that Netflix is looking to enter the world of news reporting in a big way. CNN and Fox News executives can relax just a little after that statement as it appears the streaming service isn't going full 24-hour coverage and will instead start out with a weekly news magazine show.
This project, which was only first revealed via an anonymous television executive who recently collaborated with Netflix, would be a news program similar to 60 Minutes or 20/20. Netflix's ambition for creating such a program allegedly is based on the service noticing a lack of a news program that presents issues from both sides of the political spectrum. Marketwatch reported Netflix is hoping to fill that niche, and apparently draw in a market of subscribers who are keen on learning about a political issue from a perspective that is "sharp and balanced." Netflix has declined comment regarding any of these rumors.
The news that Netflix might be getting into news is both surprising and unsurprising. Netflix's original content thus far has somewhat relied on a series' lasting appeal and shows that cover current events will likely have a poor binge-watch factor amongst subscribers who aren't following the show week to week. Additionally, news magazine shows aren't necessarily the hot genre in television at the moment ratings-wise, so it's not as though there's a mega audience the service is trying to pull to the platform.
On the flip side, the streaming service has been doing a lot of weekly television show acquisitions as of late and snagging up former correspondents from The Daily Show and possibly even former President Barack Obama for news-centric television projects that appear separate from whatever this rumored news magazine show will be. Those two things make it sound as though Netflix is making a slow transition into creating more news content, although without the streaming service confirming that is the case, we can only speculate.
If Netflix is looking to create a high-profile news magazine series, one would imagine the streaming service will start reaching out to some of television's biggest names in news reporting to be a part of it. Granted, many of the biggest names are probably locked in contracts that would keep them from making the jump, although there are high-profile news pundits like Bill O'Reilly and Matt Lauer who are currently on the market. Of course, there's a reason for that, but with Netflix so often pursuing some of the biggest names in each medium it wishes to make a footprint in, one has to wonder if the service will look past controversy to make a splash in the news genre.
Right now Netflix does not have a news magazine show, but should that happen, CinemaBlend will have more news on it. For a look at future titles coming to Netflix, visit our Netflix premiere guide. For a look at what's coming up on television in general over the next couple months, visit our midseason premiere guide.
