Daredevil: Born Again’s Weekly Release Proves Netflix’s Binge Model is Superior!

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The first season of “Daredevil: Reborn” is currently streaming on Disney+, with fresh episodes dropping weekly. Similar to the Netflix “Daredevil” series (which ran from 2015 to 2018), “Reborn” brings back Charlie Cox as Daredevil/Matt Murdock, who once again takes up the fight for justice in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. Veterans from the original show like Vincent D’Onofrio (Kingpin/Wilson Fisk), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), and Jon Bernthal (Punisher/Frank Castle) also reprise their roles. Like its predecessor, “Reborn” explores Matt’s double life as a lawyer and vigilante, as he encounters old enemies, familiar faces, and a new romantic interest. After four episodes, “Reborn” has earned an 87% approval rating from critics and 81% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, demonstrating that this latest take on Daredevil’s story is just as compelling as the original Netflix version.

Disney+ and Netflix have different strategies for releasing shows weekly versus binging, which becomes noticeable when comparing Daredevil to its sequel, Daredevil: Born Again. Though both series drop multiple episodes at once (first two, fifth, and sixth), the rest of the season on Disney+ will follow a traditional one-episode-per-week pattern. By the halfway point of Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, it’s evident that Netflix’s binge-watching approach is preferable.

Why Netflix’s Binge Release Model Worked so Well for Daredevil

Netflix’s “Daredevil” series and Disney+’s “Daredevil: Born Again” are known for unfolding their stories and characters at a more deliberate pace compared to most Marvel and MCU shows. This thoughtful pacing was a significant factor in the widespread acclaim received by Daredevil, as it allowed viewers to engage deeply with the narrative without feeling that individual episodes were merely “fillers.” The binge-release model employed by Netflix also helped mitigate complaints about the show moving too slowly, as audiences could consume multiple episodes consecutively without having to wait weeks for each season’s climax. This way of watching enabled viewers to follow the plot development seamlessly and immerse themselves in the story without feeling that they were missing out on action-packed moments.

Although Daredevil thrived under a binge-release format, Born Again has faced challenges adapting to Disney+’s weekly rollout. In the initial four episodes of Born Again, Matt Murdock seldom appears in his signature Daredevil costume. This isn’t a major issue considering that Season 1 still contains five more episodes and Season 2 is planned, but the scarcity of Daredevil action becomes much more noticeable when the series unfolds over an extended period of weeks.

A series like Daredevil can be commendable for its patience in developing characters and plotlines, leading to a significant payoff, but stretching episodes over weeks can become tiresome for viewers, leaving them craving faster pacing and more visible progression. Netflix’s strategy of releasing entire seasons at once helped keep fans engaged with Daredevil, allowing them to overlook its slow-building narrative. However, the weekly episode releases for Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ might face challenges in maintaining viewer interest.

Daredevil: Born Again‘s Weekly Release Strategy Working, But Disney Can Still Fix It

For TV shows like Daredevil: Born Again, Disney+ might consider altering the release strategy from a weekly schedule to something different. While a weekly release has its merits, this show could potentially benefit from an alternative approach. Of course, moving away from the traditional weekly release model would bring challenges, such as fewer synchronized conversations among viewers and a narrower online engagement window. However, these potential downsides might be outweighed by benefits.

For instance, if Disney+ opted for a ‘batch’ release (three episodes every week), viewers would likely appreciate the semi-return to a format that has been successful in the past. Disney and Lucasfilm have learned from their experience with Andor Season 1, where they released each episode weekly. As a corrective measure, Season 2 will be divided into three-episode arcs, released weekly. If this strategy works for Star Wars, there’s no reason it couldn’t work for Marvel as well.

It’s a pity that the enthusiasm for the new “Daredevil: Born Again” might decrease because of its slow progression and extended release intervals. Even though it is airing on a different streaming service, fans should still have the opportunity to experience the series in the same way they did with the initial one. The saying “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” could be applicable here for the Marvel Daredevil shows.

Every Tuesday, you can catch the latest episodes of “Daredevil: Born Again” streaming exclusively on Disney+. And if you haven’t seen the original “Daredevil” series yet, it’s all waiting for you on the same platform!

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2025-03-21 01:13