You: How a Lifetime Flop Transformed into a Netflix Sensation

by

As a dedicated movie reviewer, I’ve just wrapped up the final season of “You” on Netflix, a series that has undeniably left an indelible mark. Over five gripping seasons and 50 captivating episodes, we’ve been drawn into the twisted world of Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), a character who manages to be both dangerously obsessive and intriguingly enticing, despite his unhinged mindset. The series has become one of Netflix’s most addictive offerings, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn.

If “You” had stayed on its original network, Lifetime, instead of moving to Netflix, it might not have become a significant part of popular culture and could have slipped into obscurity.

‘You’ Made Very Little Impact on Lifetime

Initially, when your show debuted on Lifetime, critical reception was strong, earning a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 63 reviews in the first season. Unfortunately, the number of viewers who tuned in for the premiere was relatively low at 820,000, and this figure continued to decrease across the series’ 10 episodes. The ninth episode, titled “Candace,” attracted only 470,000 viewers, while the season finale, “Bluebeard’s Castle,” managed 530,000 viewers. This presented a conundrum for Lifetime as they had faith in the show creatively and renewed it for a second season before it even premiered, despite not taking into account its declining viewership.

With the sequel novel “Hidden Bodies” serving as inspiration for Season 2, the creative team was all set to proceed, but by December 2018, Lifetime decided against renewing “You”. However, it was also announced that the series would be migrating to Netflix for its second season. Lifetime didn’t provide a specific reason, although it is speculated that lower-than-expected ratings may have played a role in their decision to let the show go and give another platform the opportunity to air it. Netflix, having missed out on the series twice previously, eagerly took up “You” as a Global Original, aiming to make amends for their initial oversight.

On Lifetime, You didn’t create much excitement initially. But occasionally, I’d encounter someone who was tuning in to a series that seemed significantly more ominous and provocative than anything Lifetime had previously aired. This wasn’t the standard TV movie-of-the-week fare Lifetime was commonly associated with. You stood out as something unique and intelligent, but it needed a broader audience. The smart move Netflix made was to debut the show’s first season on their platform before the second season premiere. This strategic decision transformed You from a series barely watched by anyone into one that everyone seemed to be discussing.

Given the habitual binge-watching trend among viewers, your show stood out as an engaging and addictive option for those seeking something fresh and thrilling. However, it appeared that Lifetime, despite their belief in the show, lacked the strategy to effectively promote it and keep viewers engaged. It’s important to note that Lifetime isn’t typically associated with shows like this, but they deserve recognition for daringly providing a platform for it.

You Became a Global Hit When It Moved to Netflix

As a movie enthusiast, I was among the 40 million people worldwide who tuned into “You” during its first month on Netflix. The buzz about this series instantly filled my social media feeds, with everyone discussing the thought-provoking themes and intriguing characters, particularly Joe. These online conversations only fueled the show’s popularity, as we debated the line between romanticizing a serial killer and understanding a complex character.

The dialogues further emphasized that Netflix was the perfect platform for the series from the very beginning due to its vast global audience, which Lifetime couldn’t rival. This enabled the show to significantly grow its viewership while also giving it creative freedom to explore areas that Liftime wouldn’t permit. Although Lifetime has a presence on basic cable and some of its content was edgy, moving to Netflix allowed it to challenge censors, making it a more thought-provoking series. In short, Lifetime couldn’t have let ‘You’ become the successful show it needed to be without Netflix’s help. Netflix proved to be its savior, and it’s doubtful that ‘You’ would have reached such a wide audience had it not been acquired by the streaming giant.

The addictive quality of the show “You” kept viewers hooked throughout its Netflix run, and it continued to develop intriguingly beyond its initial idea. As seasons unfolded, more and more people tuned in to watch the complex storylines of Joe’s obsessions unravel. The show’s end serves as a reminder that finding the perfect platform for a series is crucial, and sometimes, even when it seems like a series has ended, it can still make its mark on the entertainment industry. You is available on Netflix.

The captivating nature of “You” kept viewers glued to their screens during its Netflix run and even beyond its original premise. With each season, more people tuned in to follow the intricate tales of Joe’s infatuations. As the show concludes, it demonstrates that finding the ideal home for a series is essential, and sometimes, a series can get another chance to influence the entertainment world, even if it appears to be over. You is on Netflix.

Read More

2025-05-04 00:05