Netflix’s Paramount+ licensing deal shows why originals should come first

On Jan. 28, 2026, Collider writer Liam Gaughan argued that Netflix — which recently licensed Paramount+ shows including SEAL Team and Mayor of Kingstown — should prioritize original content over licensed programming. Gaughan notes Netflix has grown to rely on licensed content to attract subscribers after previously losing titles like Friends and The Office, and that the streamer has also carried shows once exclusive to AMC+, Showtime and HBO Max.

While licensing can boost a show’s visibility — Breaking Bad and Suits saw renewed interest after streaming exposure — the piece says those incremental gains don’t build the long-term loyalty Netflix needs to stay atop the streaming wars. Collider argues Netflix’s biggest wins come from originals with deep backlogs or cultural impact.

Blockbusters such as Stranger Things and Wednesday draw attention, but neither yet has the episode depth to become perennial library staples, and long gaps between seasons can fail to retain subscribers. The article adds that completed, well-regarded series with abundant episodes — examples cited include Ozark and The Crown — offer more lasting value, while Netflix’s pattern of canceling shows like Shadow and Bone and Warrior Nun undermines creators’ ability to build shows over time.

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