Netflix prioritizes artistic expression in new policy

Steaming giant Netflix has seen a net loss in subscribers for the first time a decade. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, Netflix lost 0.2 million (or 200,000) paid new subscribers in the quarter; this was primarily due to Netflix’s suspension of its services in Russia.

But this is more than just a blip linked with the Russian invasion of Ukraine – Netflix has predicted it will lose another two million subscribers in the second quarter.

This comes as it faces increasing competition from other streaming services like Disney+, Amazon Prime and Apple TV+; the latter recently became the first streaming platform to win the Best Picture award at the Oscars.

“Our plan is to reaccelerate our viewing and revenue growth by continuing to improve all aspects of Netflix” – this includes by focusing on the quality of its content. “We’re doubling down on story development and creative excellence” – it wants to emulate the success of shows like Bridgerton, Inventing Anna and Tinder Swindler.

As Netflix refocuses on its content, the streaming giant has now moved to update its company guidelines for the first time in five years.

It has added a new ‘artistic expression section’, which reads: “We offer a wide variety of TV shows and movies, some of which can be provocative. To help members make informed choices about what to watch, we offer ratings, content warnings and easy to use parental controls.

“Not everyone will like—or agree with—everything on our service.

“While every title is different, we approach them based on the same set of principles: we support the artistic expression of the creators we choose to work with; we program for a diversity of audiences and tastes; and we let viewers decide what’s appropriate for them, versus having Netflix censor specific artists or voices.

“As employees we support the principle that Netflix offers a diversity of stories, even if we find some titles counter to our own personal values. Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles you perceive to be harmful.”

The new guideline concludes: “If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you.”

The world of work at Netflix

The move to change Netflix guidelines comes in the wake of a challenging few months for Netflix as a workplace.

Back in October 2021, Netflix employees walked out en masse in response to transphobic comments made by Dave Chappelle in his comedy special ‘The Closer’, which was available on the streaming platform.

The walkout demanded by Netflix adopted “measures in the areas of content investment, employee relations and safety, and harm reduction, all of which are necessary to avoid future instances of platforming transphobia and hate speech”.

Senior leadership at Netflix doubled down on their defense of the Chapelle show, including co-CEO Ted Sarandos. He noted that ‘The Closer’ doesn’t fall under the definition of hate speech – the program remains on Netflix.

This change to its cultural guidelines shows once and for all what Netflix thinks about employees’ concerns about controversial, and potentially offensive, content.

A spokesperson for Netflix reiterated to Business Insider that the guideline changes helps  existing and current employees “make better informed decisions about whether Netflix is the right company for them”.

UNLEASH has reached out to Netflix for comment.

This statement echoes similar statements made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about why he is not worried about high attrition rates or the ‘Great Resignation’.

In a conference call discussing Meta’s Q1 results, Zuckerberg said: “I don’t think this sort of volatility, that companies can face, is always that unhealthy for making sure you have the right people.

“I’m just trying to lead the company in a way where we position ourselves as the premier company for building the future of social interaction and the metaverse, and if you care about those things, we’re getting the best people to come work here.”

Does this latest move around artistic expression suggest Netflix is taking the same approach to the ‘Great Resignation’?