Question Is Netflix Losing Its "Editorial Soul"? – An Industry Perspective (2026)

[MICA]

I’m curious how others here feel about Netflix in 2026, especially from a film-industry–aware point of view.
Lately, using Netflix feels less like browsing a curated platform and more like navigating a massive content catalogue. There’s clearly no shortage of films and series, but it often feels harder to tell what’s actually being positioned as high-value content and what simply exists because of volume.
From an industry perspective, this raises an interesting question. Netflix was once seen as both a creative destination and a distribution endpoint. Today, it seems to operate more as a scale-driven platform, where visibility depends heavily on algorithms rather than editorial intent.
Compared to that, platforms like Max or even niche indie services often feel more deliberate in how they present and frame content — even if their libraries are smaller.
So I’m wondering:

As viewers, do you still find Netflix worth keeping year-round?
As filmmakers or industry professionals, does Netflix still feel like a meaningful place for content discovery?
If you rotate subscriptions, which platform tends to be the first to go?

Not looking for a definitive answer just curious how people here experience the shift.

 

[Max]

From an industry perspective, Netflix still has huge reach and influence, but its role is clearly evolving.
Until recently, Netflix functioned mainly as a scale-driven platform. With the announced acquisition of Warner Bros., HBO, and related studio assets, it’s reasonable to expect strategic shifts both in how content is positioned and how long it’s allowed to live on the platform.
The open question is whether Netflix will maintain its current volume-first approach, or move toward stronger editorial structuring now that it controls premium studio brands. That transition, if it happens, will matter a lot for filmmakers and producers.
For now, Netflix feels best treated as one phase in a broader release strategy, while curated or niche platforms (outside the Netflix ecosystem) often offer clearer context and longer discovery windows.

I’m curious whether this acquisition will actually change Netflix’s long-term strategy or simply reinforce its scale advantage.