The silent change of Apple TV+ arrives with its series, with a new strategy focused on quality

Apple TV+ strongly believes in its content. We cannot say the opposite given their high investment in this area. However, we can say that renovations are taken more seriously. It is not possible to think that it would broadcast a premiere of a new series without trust, but its idea of ​​​​renewing them for second seasons almost instantly has completely changed since the launch of the platform at the end of 2019.

Apple TV+ now better analyzes the impact of its series. A way of minimizing risks by investing in projects that do not work and which, although they can be a thorn in the side of some viewers, tend to be positive provided that the strategy is reorganized in other more projects. important.

Goodbye to these almost automatic renewals

“The Morning Show”, “See” and “For All Mankind” are among the first series with which Apple TV+ debuted on November 1, 2019. A time when the platform, moreover, cost half of that price now. Although that’s another story.

What these pioneering exclusive series have demonstrated is Apple’s blind confidence in them to the point of renewing them almost without releasing them. Practically Any series on the platform is born with two seasons under its belt. There are exceptions of course, like “Defending Jacob” which, by its nature, was limited (it was a miniseries). However, the others had already confirmed new chapters before releasing the first ones.

It was a time when investments, like today, were high. However, Even a low audience did not cause these series to fail. After all, they were the foundations of an Apple TV+ that was still in its infancy and had everything to gain. Four and a half years later, the situation has changed.

Apple TV+ is no longer afraid of canceling series

Technically, it is difficult to confirm which current series is or is not a “failure” given that the few viewers it will attract will already be a few million given that they are global platforms.

Both on Apple TV+ and many others, Data on the number of viewers of the series is unknown. They don’t offer them officially, although it’s largely predictable when a series goes unnoticed. The symptoms are widespread bad reviews and, above all, premature cancellations.

The most recent case of cancellation on Apple TV+ was that of “Constellation”, a series that stood out well before its premiere and which now Apple is wasting with a single season consisting of eight episodes that ended in March last. Officially, no reason has been given, but its low impact on subscribers seems to be the reason. It is not in vain that certain threads of the plot were left open to the detriment of a second season which, barring a major surprise, will never arrive.

We see other recent cases in the rushed finale of “Central Park,” the animated series from the creators of “Bob’s Burgers” that may have lasted at least three seasons. Its creator ended up confirming its unforeseen end through Threads.

A little further back in time, we see other Apple TV+ cancellations that confirm the changing trend on the platform. “The Mosquito Coast” didn’t make it past a second season. ‘Dear Edward’, ‘Amber Brown’ and ‘Mr Corman’ didn’t even make it to the second, since a series’ viewer data is something platforms keep secure. However, the widespread bad reviews and, above all, premature cancellations are synonymous with the fact that perhaps there is something to this failure.

An even trickier example of unexpected cancellations is that of “Little Voice,” created by JJ himself. Abrams. The famous New York director tried his luck with this series which, even if it seemed on the verge of being renewed, ultimately did not convince viewers. big hat Apple TV+.

Not everything is bad about these decisions and there is also hope

Netflix’s desire to nip many series in the bud is well known. Internally, they will have their justification, even if from the outside it generates discomfort among many viewers, since they have come to cancel highly acclaimed titles whose low audience was surely not the reason for their cancellation. On Apple TV+, at least for now and thankfully that doesn’t happen.

The great successes of Apple TV+ continue. See “The Morning Show,” which will soon film its fourth season. Or ‘Ted Lasso’ itself, the great success (in capital letters) of the platform and that although it was only going to last two seasons, it was extended for one more given the number of viewers, the good reviews and accumulated rewards.

Something similar is happening with “Separación”, officially renewed for a second season coming soon, but which has had numerous filming problems in the meantime. From the writers’ strike which affected a large part of the industry to internal problems. Apple has made an effort to continue given the good reviews and fortunately this will continue.

There is also case of very closed series which will return with new episodes. Here, “Bad Sisters” (adapted as “Sisters to Death” in Spanish) is part of it, being a closed series which in turn comes from a foreign adaptation and which will ultimately have a sequel with a second season. The same thing happened to “Las Gotas de Dios”, which arrived quietly, with a practically closed ending and its success led it to be renewed by surprise for a second season.

It’s obvious that no one likes to see a series they were addicted to canceled, even if the rest of the public didn’t go along with it en masse. There is no bandage for the pain of those who lose a series they enjoy. However, This seems like an obviously better strategy than the original strategy.. Renewing series everywhere also carries a danger, even for the viewer.

And in the end, series were renewed almost blindly, perhaps without public support and in some cases with multi-million dollar investments behind them. For the viewer, it is to a certain extent the least important, since it is not him who loses money. However, it ends up being the victim of a bad investment which means that this money is not allocated to other productions which might be of more interest.

Either way, something in Apple TV+ is changing. We will have to see how they now balance their series strategy and if they follow this path. So far, there are a host of firsts coming this year. Likewise, the idea of ​​making the platform more accessible with a plan with ads may be the boost they needed to make the platform profitable themselves (even if we don’t like it).

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