https://youtu.be/HN4oydykJFc

“While TVII is marked by certain technological advances and connected branding and programming strategies, what is signalled by Netflix and other VOD platforms exclusively available online is a move away from the television set. One significant marker of TVII is its move towards multi-platform forms of distribution and storytelling…” (Mareike, 2016) From this quotation, it can be understood that Netflix and other VOD platforms such as Amazon, Hulu, Disney+ and etc., offer a new streaming system, which can be viewed from different screens and from different platforms. It gives the opportunity to the viewers to watch what they want, when they want and how they want at the same time. 

However, the industry of binge-watching didn’t become such a big industry in one day. Especially in 2010s, Netflix was streaming the TV series that were airing on different television channels. “Better Call Saul” is one of them. The television series “Better Call Saul”, which is the spin-off version of “Breaking Bad” has started airing on AMC, which is an American television channel, in year 2015. Before it started in 2015, in year 2013, it was announced that the whole series will be streamed on Netflix. However, Netflix could not stream Better Call Saul until 2016, right after the second season was started. So, the first attempts of binge-watching of Netflix weren’t successful. 

After that, when the final season of Better Call Saul started streaming on Netflix, AMC also established its own platform “AMC+” and put the series in that platform, in order to compete with Netflix. However, it was a disaster for AMC+ because of the loss of the amount of its viewers. In this case, it can be seen how binge-watching platforms develop themselves and became a big industry in streaming services. The rivalry between AMC and Netflix on Better Call Saul shows this reality to the viewers across the world. 

Bibliography:

• Jenner, M. (2016) ‘Is this TVIV? On Netflix, TVIII and binge-watching’, New media & society, 18(2), pp. 257–273. doi:10.1177/1461444814541523.
• Adams, T. (2022) ‘Better Call Saul Series Finale Crashes AMC+’ Available at: https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/better-call-saul-series-finale-amc-plus-crash/ (Accessed on: 11 November 2022).
• Travers, B. (2016) ‘7 New Netflix Shows to Binge Watch in February 2016 (And the Best Episodes of Each)’ Available at: https://www.indiewire.com/2016/02/7-new-netflix-shows-to-binge-watch-in-february-2016-and-the-best-episodes-of-each-28412/ (Accessed on: 11 November 2022).

Kaan Cakir

(12.11.2022)