Netflix is facing a dilemma with their new show, 3 Body Problem. The show, which has a reported budget of $20 million per episode for eight episodes, has not been performing as well as expected. It quickly fell off the top spot in the US and in many global regions after its release. Despite being #1 in 25 countries, the viewership numbers are not meeting the high cost of production.
The show is based on the trilogy of books by Cixin Liu, meaning that at least two more seasons would be needed to cover the remaining books. The showrunners have hinted that it could take up to four seasons to complete the story. This would result in a significant increase in production costs, with estimates ranging from $480 million to $640 million for the entire trilogy. The complex storyline of the next books would likely require more VFX work and could lead to additional expenses.
Netflix is now facing a tough decision. On one hand, cancelling a high-profile show based on a popular sci-fi series after just one season could damage their reputation. Additionally, the show is created by Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss, with whom Netflix has a lucrative deal for future content. Cancelling the show could strain this relationship and affect their partnership moving forward.
However, the high cost of producing the remaining seasons of 3 Body Problem is a significant concern for Netflix. While they have justified sky-high costs for popular shows like Stranger Things, 3 Body Problem does not seem to be generating the viewership numbers to warrant such a substantial investment. The show falling off the top spot in just a few days is a worrying sign for Netflix financially.
As a viewer, the hope is for Netflix to commit to finishing the series. The show has received positive feedback, and fans are eager to see how the story unfolds. However, from a business perspective, the immense cost of producing the remaining seasons may be too much for Netflix to bear. The decision on the future of 3 Body Problem will be a challenging one for the streaming giant.
