On Monday, streaming giant Netflix cancelled its two superhero shows—The Punisher and Jessica Jones—marking an end to the five-year licensing agreement with Disney-owned Marvel.
This, however, does not mean that Netflix is getting rid of its superhero content, as confirmed by its recent launch of The Umbrella Academy—a story of estranged siblings with superhuman powers. Millarworld, a comic book company acquired by Netflix in 2017, will be developing its first superhero series for the streaming giant called the Jupiter’s Legacy.
But will the end of contract with Disney prove costly for Netflix?
Research reveals that licensed content has attracted more customers to Netflix than its original shows. For example, Disney content previously comprised 8 to 12% of Netflix viewership, from January 2017 through the end of October 2018.
2019 will see other new kids on the block. Disney will launch its own streaming device called the Disney+ later in 2019. Among others to follow suit is Warner Media, owned by AT&T, also set to launch its own streaming device by the end of this year.
Is Netflix up for some competition?