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Netflix CEO reveals surprising secret behind Baby Reindeer's global success - as stalker series is set to become the streaming giant's most popular show of all time
Netflix's CEO has revealed the secret behind the phenomenal global success of hit stalker series Baby Reindeer.
When Baby Reindeer premiered in April, the British show instantly captivated viewers across the globe, becoming a cultural phenomenon discussed in droves.
The series, which dramatizes the true story of how comedian Richard Gadd was stalked after he gave a woman referred to as 'Martha' a free cup of tea, is now on track to become one of the platform's most popular series of all time.
But when asked about the show's immense acclaim recently, Netflix's CEO Ted Sarandos didn't highlight the shocking story, clever script, or impressive acting.
Instead, he credited Netflix's 'algorithm,' telling the New York Times that after the show took off in the UK, it was the platform's formula that helped it to shoot to popularity in other countries, ultimately turning it into a worldwide success.
Netflix 's CEO Ted Sarandos (seen) has revealed that he believes the immense success of Baby Reindeer is all thanks to the streaming service's 'algorithm'
When Baby Reindeer premiered in April, the UK show instantly captivated viewers across the globe, becoming a cultural phenomenon discussed in droves
The show, which dramatizes the true story of how comedian Richard Gadd was stalked by a woman, is now on track to become of the platform's most popular series of all times
'When you see something like Baby Reindeer - there was a time when something like Baby Reindeer would not even be seen in the United States,' said the mogul, 59.
'And if it did, it’d be on PBS once. It’s very, very big in the UK, and in that way that Netflix does, it gets picked up in the algorithm and starts getting more and more presented.
'When something gets that big in one country, it’s likely there’s a lot of audience for it outside of that country. And it’s been an enormous hit around the world.'
Ted explained that he believes we're 'entering into a new era' where 'content and great stories can come from almost anywhere in the world.'
The businessman added that writers are learning that they 'don't have to adapt their storytelling to America to work' thanks to Netflix's algorithm, which is leading to more 'authentic' stories.
'What it’s pushing is: You don’t have to adapt your storytelling to America to work,' he explained.
'If your movie, if your film works, if your TV series works in the home country, it’s got to be very authentic.
'And I think what international audiences pick up on is that authenticity. When you try to engineer something to travel, it really appeals to no one.
But when asked about the show's immense acclaim recently, Netflix's CEO Ted didn't highlight the shocking story, clever script, or impressive acting
Instead, he credited Netflix's 'algorithm,' telling the New York Times that after the show took off in the UK, it was the platform's formula that helped it expand to screens in other countries
'I can’t think of anything that we’ve done that has been engineered to travel that actually did travel.'
He said it's 'made the world a safer place' by 'exposing' people to other 'cultures,' which in turn makes them 'more understanding and empathetic.'
'I think it’s been great for culture ... In a strange way, I think it’s been great to make the world a safer place,' he continued.
'I think you’re exposed to cultures around the world in a way that makes you more understanding and empathetic.
'I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the movie A Separation from Iran? It’s a story of a couple getting divorced in Iran, and you realize when you watch it how much we have in common with each other.'
Ted also told the publication that he believes box office smash hits Barbie and Oppenheimer would have been 'just as big' if they premiered on Netflix rather than in theaters.
'Both of those movies would be great for Netflix. They definitely would have enjoyed just as big an audience on Netflix,' he said.
'I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that certain kinds of movies do or don’t work [on streaming].
'There’s no reason to believe that the movie itself is better in any size of screen for all people.
Ted also told the publication that he believes box office smash hits Barbie and Oppenheimer would have been 'just as big' if they premiered on Netflix rather than in theaters
Baby Reindeer starred Richard, who also wrote the series, as Donny Dunn, a fictionalized version of himself, as well as Jessica Gunning as his stalker, Martha Scott
A woman named Fiona Harvey (seen) has come forward and said that the stalker depicted in the show is based on her
'My son’s an editor. He is 28 years old, and he watched [1962 adventure drama] Lawrence of Arabia on his phone.'
Baby Reindeer starred Richard, who also wrote the series, as Donny Dunn, a fictionalized version of himself, as well as Jessica Gunning as his stalker, Martha Scott.
The show got nearly 60 million views in just a month, per Deadline.
Richard previously told Tudum of his decision to turn what he had endured into a show, 'In a weird way, I first started feeling like this could be a good story during the whole ordeal itself.
'It was one of the most intense periods, when I was listening to these voicemails. I'd go to sleep at night and these voicemails - her words would bounce around my eyelids.
'I remember thinking, "God, if I was ever to speak about this onstage, I'd fire the words around. Put the voicemails in a big cacophony and fire it." That's how [it] was born.'
A woman named Fiona Harvey has since come forward and said that the stalker depicted in the show is based on her.