The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

Popularity of Netflix streams across the country

By Jessica McClelland
Staff Writer

Netflix is perhaps one of the most innovative concepts in contemporary entertainment. This addicting website allows people to stream shows and movies over the internet and onto their computers, televisions, or phones.This allows the viewer to choose from thousands of titles and watch full seasons of shows or movies without ads or commercials for only $7.99 a month.

The accessibility of Netflix has caused movie rental stores like Blockbuster to become obsolete. Now people can watch whatever they want, when they want and wherever they want all with the touch of a button. In 2013, Netflix subscribers watched a total of two billion hours of shows and movies. But what shows are people actually watching for hours at a time?

Original Netflix shows , unavailable outside of the streaming website, have become immenseley possible. “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black” are fan favorites among these. “House of Cards,” a show about a conniving congressman and his wife, just released the full second season on Feb. 14.

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Many binge watched the show for hours on end until finally finishing– and demanding more. The result, Netflix has already signed off for a third season.

Even President Obama was excited for the second season. “Tomorrow: @HouseOfCards. No spoilers please,” President Obama tweeted on Feb. 13.

“Orange is the New Black,” a show about a woman who is sent to jail for 15 months after transporting drug money to her girlfriend, received more ratings and viewings in its first week than the show “House of Cards.” The show is not completely appropriate for teenagers because of nudity and inappropriate language. However, older age groups are excited for the second season on June 6.

Other non-Netflix original shows that people are watching on the website include Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights, Pretty Little Liars, The Walking Dead, Sherlock, Downton Abbey, Gossip Girl and Scandal. “Netflix is my life. How else would I watch Gossip Girl for hours every night,” Maddy Macdonald, a sophomore at Neshaminy who loves Netflix said.

“Breaking Bad,“ the second most-watched show on Netflix, chronicles the legacy of Walter White, a teacher who was diagnosed with lung cancer and begins making and selling the addictive and illegal drug methamphetamine. It had its series finale on Sept. 29, 2013 with a total of 10.3 million viewers which was record breaking.

The number one show at the moment is “Friday Night Lights.” The series is about a high school in Texas and the football team, family and friends. The show was the number one show on television with six seasons. The show finally had its series finale in 2011.

According to Netflix’s official website, the streaming site has over 44 million streaming members worldwide. This number will continue to grow as the website becomes more and more popular and people realize the great opportunities that the site offers.

“I like to watch shows on Netflix because I don’t have anything better to do with my time after school,” Madison Piuma, a sophomore at Neshaminy who is slightly obsessed with Netflix said. “As long as I have food and Netflix I’ll be alright.”

Netflix is a great way to watch full seasons of shows and movies without commercials. There is a fine line between liking it, and being obsessed. Most people cross that line after watching one episode of “Breaking Bad” or “House of Cards.”

The question lies, what makes Netflix so successful? Mainly, it is available on many different technical platforms. Smart phones, video game devices, televisions and computers are some of the possible ways to fix a person’s need for Netflix.

Netflix is the new fad for the ‘Milennials’. It has an extreme variety of content for anyone’s interests. Whether the show features a suspicious chemistry teacher or a women’s correctional facility, there is definitely something out there for all.

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Popularity of Netflix streams across the country