Ted Sarandos Says Netflix Will Roll Out 'About 20' Unscripted Series in 2017

Netflix is diving into reality TV in a big way, according to Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.

Speaking at the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference, Sarandos said that the streaming provider will offer “about 20” unscripted series in 2017, as it moves closer to its goal of 1,000 annual hours of original content production.

For example, Netflix is making a big bet on “Ultimate Beastmaster,” a previously announced competition series executive produced by Sylvester Stallone. The show will feature simultaneous production around the world, meaning that in South Korea viewers will see local hosts and athletes. “Beastmaster,” Sarandos said, will feature “global scale and production.”

Also Read: 'Luke Cage' Renewed for Season 2 on Marvel-Friendly Netflix

Sarandos said that type of production is necessary for Netflix to stand out in the crowded reality genre. He added that Netflix already produces original content in 12 countries around the world.

“Unscripted television is a very interesting business,” Sarandos said. “The content itself seems to be largely interchangeable. Meaning, if you want to see a show about hoarding, there are three different shows about hoarding.” Given that it’s difficult for the concepts themselves to stand out, he added, Netflix can add value in the scale of the production.

Sarandos said that Netflix’s studio division had not yet reached the point of “diminishing returns” in its aggressive push to create more original programming to lure more subscribers.

Also Read: Netflix Offers Users Ability to Download Content to Watch on the Go

He also turned aside a question about whether Netflix might release detailed viewership statistics. “Not at this point,” Sarandos replied. The service has been heavily criticized by many industry veterans for its lack of detailed audience measurement, a la the Nielsen ratings for TV.

But Sarandos remains bullish on the growth prospects for Netflix going forward.

“I feel like we’re in the early innings of this business: :Internet television,” he said.

'Gilmore Girls': 10 Theories About 'A Year in the Life's' Unanswered Questions (Photos)

With a relatively brief four-episode run, Netflix's "Gilmore Girls" revival left fans with more questions than answers, especially regarding two major unresolved plot points. Warning: Spoilers ahead.
Netflix
Who is the father of Rory's baby?
Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino finally revealed the final four words of the series in the last episode of "A Year in the Life," with Rory surprising her mother -- and viewers -- with news of her pregnancy. But the baby's father was never revealed, leaving fans' imaginations to run wild.
Netflix
Logan Huntzberger
Logan is the most obvious contender for father, given that he's the only person Rory is shown to be sleeping with on the show. Plus, the thematic parallels between Logan and Christopher would make the pregnancy especially resonant.
Netflix
Paul
Rory was technically in a relationship throughout the entire run of the revival, even though she never actually seemed to remember it. So maybe she did sleep with Paul what's-his-name at some point, and just forgot about it.
Netflix
The Wookiee
One of Rory's lowest points of the revival comes in "Spring," when in a moment of desperation, she has an alcohol-fueled one-night stand with a guy dressed as a Wookiee. The timing might be a bit off since Rory reveals her pregnancy in "Fall," but it's certainly possible.
Netflix
Surrogacy
In the revival, Paris runs a fancy fertility clinic frequented by the likes of Neil Patrick Harris, raising the possibility that Rory's baby isn't even hers. The younger Gilmore even jokes at one point that her former roommate had once eyed her as a surrogate.
Netflix
Jess Mariano
This seems like wishful thinking more than anything, but Jess fans have been hanging on to hope that Luke's nephew could be the father of Rory's baby, based on little more than one longing glance.
Netflix
Who sent the letter to Emily?
In another hanging storyline, Lorelai and Emily made an attempt at therapy in the "Spring" episode, leading to the revelation that Emily received a "heinous" letter filled with accusations and abuse on her birthday. Lorelai vehemently denied sending letter, but the issue was never resolved.
Netflix
Lorelai actually did send the letter
It seems unlikely that Lorelai would outright lie about having sent the letter -- she admits as much to her mother -- but it's hard to deny that anybody else has as much motive to send an expletive-laced letter to Emily Gilmore as she does. Maybe she just got so mad that she forgot?
Netflix
Teenage Lorelai
Emily doesn't give many details as to when she found the letter, just that it was received on her birthday. It wouldn't be entirely out of character for her to bring up a decades-old grudge she's been holding against Lorelai since her rebellious teen years.
Netflix
Trix
Richard's mother already devastated Emily with a letter once, when it was revealed in the original series that she begged her son to marry someone else on the eve of their wedding. And Trix was also named Lorelai Gilmore, so it fits.
WB
Rory
An angry letter doesn't really seem like Rory's style, but as the third Lorelai Gilmore, she's in the running.
Netflix
Emily's lying
Or maybe she just made the whole thing up.
Netflix

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Netflix’s revival ended with two major unresolved plot points surrounding Rory, Lorelai and the residents of Stars Hollow

With a relatively brief four-episode run, Netflix's "Gilmore Girls" revival left fans with more questions than answers, especially regarding two major unresolved plot points. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

View In Gallery

'Gilmore Girls': 10 Theories About 'A Year in the Life's' Unanswered Questions (Photos)

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