I’ve Seen Stranger Things
Billy Idol has new music. #LetsGoBrandon is a thing on social media. And the Dallas Cowboys have a winning record. It’s a crazy mixed-up world, but I’ve seen Stranger Things...the series and the things.
But sometimes you see something that isn’t all that strange at all, and is in fact crafted by shrewd marketers coming together for the common good, like the new online store debuting from Walmart and Netflix.
And there is more than just a hint of genius at play here.
Netflix, with 209 million global paid memberships, has some of the hottest movies and series available today. It is the master of original content, having ushered in that phenomenon to streaming video back in 2012 with Lilyhammer. Faced with rapidly escalating licensing fees from Hollywood, it had to either create original content, or die a slow, painful death.
Meanwhile, Walmart has finally come to life and found a purpose for its website. Their online sales grew 79% during FY2021. I realize it is easy to be somewhat deceiving when reporting only percentages, because it wouldn’t be hard to register a near doubling of sales when you had hardly any to begin with, but it’s a huge step forward.
Walmart’s website looks a lot like its stores, though: bleak and discount. It’s hardly enticing. Partnering with Netflix, though, who suddenly finds itself with the opportunity to further license its hottest properties into fun merchandise, puts it in a pretty sweet place. Although Walmart desperately needs this, I bet Amazon is drooling.
While Netflix’ original content has gone on to become lucrative brands, especially shows like Stranger Things, it needs an “official store” that can be the one-stop-shop for people wanting a little bit of everything, and not just Stranger Things. Think lifestyle merch. This is their first digital storefront with a national retailer, and it is bound to be a winner.
Netflix has certainly paid its dues the last decade, creating ever more original programming not just in English, but also French, Spanish, Korean, and many other languages. Just select whether you want the original, with subtitles, or with English dubbed in. In the process, it has wrapped us up in its own eco system, pulling us ever farther away from traditional television.
And if you had asked me 20 years ago whether this could happen, I would have said I had never heard of such a strange thing. I’ll be watching this, credit card in hand.
Because I can’t wait for Season 4 of Stranger Things, Ozark Season 4, Who Killed Sara Season 3, and a bunch more. Who needs CBS/ABC/NBC anyway and Hollywood? They leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
Dr “My Watch List Groweth“ Gerlich