Freelance journalist and data analyst, Michael Greshko, utilizes Netflix viewership data to demonstrate why the streaming service might’ve cancelled the seriesKAOSjust 40 days after its premiere. The show reimagined Greek and Roman gods in a darkly comedic take on gender politics, power, and life in the underworld was released in August 2024. Starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus, and Janet McTeer (Ozark) as Hera, and created by Charlie Covell (The End of the F***ing World), the show received a 76% on Rotten Tomato and spent four weeks in Netflix’s Top 10 with its viewership peaking at 5.9 million views.
In a thread posted on X,Greshkoshows what data Netflix might be looking at to explain the seemingly hasty decision. After performing an analysis of 148 of the platform’s Top 10 shows between July 2023 and June 2024, Greshko’s data reveals that, on average, a top show receives a majority of its six-month viewership in the first 40 days of its release. “If Kaos and other shows are any guide,” he writes, “Netflix seems to be greenlighting and canceling shows based on the short-term viewership–not necessarily the long tail or future potential.”
What KAOS’Cancelation Means for Netflix Subscribers
Where and How Your Viewership Matters
10 Best TV Shows Like Netflix’s Kaos
After watching Netflix’s dark comedy, Kaos, viewers can move on to these ten shows which explore mythology, dark comedy, and fantastical worlds.
Our Take on KAOS' Cancellation
More Shows Will Likely Be Cancelled Prematurely
Many hit shows have had slow starts before becoming successes. Series likeThe Office, Star Trek: The Next Generation, andSeinfeldall have premiere seasons that pale in comparison with what followed. When a studio executive uses viewership data to determine the length of a series' duration, they deny the reality that human behavior is not always predictable. WithKAOSnot being allowed time to find its audience, it follows anunfortunate trend in the industry.
Source:X
Kaos
Kaos is a dark comedy series starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus. Zeus is enjoying being the King of the Gods, until he starts to self-destruct after thinking a wrinkle on his forhead is a sign of an ancient prophecy. His situation becomes even worse when Prometheus develops a plan to take Zeus down once and for all.
