Why Netflix wants more true crime series despite legal dramas

• Despite the legal risks, Netflix is ​​still looking for true crime films.
• The streamer is facing a growing number of defamation lawsuits that may increase production costs.
• But Netflix isn’t slowing down commissions because the genre drives subscriber loyalty.

“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” about the titular characters’ murder of their parents in 1989, quickly shot to No. 1 on Netflix and just as quickly sparked criticism from the people portrayed in the series , because of their accuracy.

Meanwhile, Netflix is ​​facing defamation lawsuits over other popular titles based on real-life dramas, such as the stalker saga “Baby Reindeer” and “Inventing Anna,” about the Anna Sorokin (aka Anna Delvey) scam. According to the Wall Street Journal, more than 20 defamation lawsuits have been filed in the United States since 2019 against Netflix and its production partners over real-life stories that were the subject of Netflix programs, with at least six such lawsuits filed this year. The Journal reported that the increase in litigation has driven up the cost of creating such programs.

But that hasn’t diminished Netflix’s thirst for crime, which shows no signs of abating, according to Business Insider interviews with agents and producers and commissioned data from Ampere Analysis.

Other streamers like Hulu and Peacock have filled their libraries with true crime stories, but none are able to give them the attention that Netflix can with its massive reach of over 282 million global subscribers.

Guy Bisson, managing director of Ampere Analysis, said that among the six biggest streamer commissions, crime titles have seen the largest percentage increase year-on-year so far this year, accounting for a quarter of all global scripted first-person titles. Execute content. Meanwhile, traditionally expensive genres such as science fiction and fantasy are declining the most, he added.

“What’s generally going on is, you could almost talk about a broadcastification of streaming – the withdrawal of expensive content,” Bisson said. “Streaming needs to attract that general audience. That’s why they want to get more for their money.”“

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True crime series are regularly among the most-watched Netflix series. Megaproducer Ryan Murphy’s Dahmer was the No. 3 most popular TV show of all time on Netflix as of September 29, with more than a billion hours watched. The next Murphy special in the same anthology series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” also landed at the top of Netflix’s list of top 10 U.S. TV shows in its first two weeks. According to Digital i, a streaming measurement and research service, two of Netflix’s top 10 TV shows in the third quarter were crime series (“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” “American Murder: Laci Peterson”).

“Obviously it’s working for them,” a top TV agent said anonymously to protect business relationships, adding that Netflix, like other platforms, “is responsive to what people want.”

Netflix faces lawsuits over true crime series

While true crime shows often have the potential to become low-budget hits, they can also pose legal risks and associated costs.

“Baby Reindeer,” another smash hit, spent eight weeks on Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV list and won six Emmys. But it also triggered a lawsuit. Netflix has failed to get a judge to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed by the woman who inspired the drama series. She is demanding at least $170 million. Netflix has argued that because it was dramatized, most viewers would understand that the show’s claims were untrue. The judge ruled that while certain events in the show did not happen, they were being touted as “a true story” and should encourage audiences to accept them as such. Still, the legal drama didn’t stop Netflix from forging a new partnership with series creator Richard Gadd in September.

Netflix is ​​also being sued by a friend of Anna Sorokin, Rachel Williams, who claims she was portrayed as an opportunistic sidekick rather than a con artist in “Inventing Anna” – created by superstar showrunner Shonda Rhimes. Netflix recently tried to protect the notes of the New York magazine writer whose story inspired the series.

With all the legal issues, you might expect Netflix to pull out of the genre, but that wasn’t the case. One reason: Surveys have shown that people love seeing true crime depictions on screen, with half of Americans saying they enjoy the genre.

“I don’t think it’s going to stop them,” a second agent said of the legal problems surrounding some crime shows. “They will continue to look for things that are popular and cool.”

It’s possible that people will burn out on Ryan Murphy, who seems to be everywhere, and turn to less gory shows for entertainment; or that the true crime phenomenon will lose some momentum. Data from Parrot Analytics suggests that viewer demand for true crime documentaries – as opposed to scripted series – on Netflix is ​​far outpaced by supply. The second agent said Netflix was wary of topics that were too saturated.

“There are too many serial killers now, so I think that’s harder,” the agent added.

Still, for now, Netflix will likely continue to give people what they want.

The third part of “Monsters” starring serial killer Ed Gein has already been announced.