For more than ten years, Netflix has led the way in streaming, and it continues to dominate even with growing competition from companies like Disney and Warner Bros., who have launched their own streaming services – a period often called the “Streaming Wars.” Although Netflix is still the most popular streaming platform, the landscape has shifted dramatically in the last decade, and no show better illustrates this change than The OA.
Premiering in 2016, The OA initially received positive reviews, achieving an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, Netflix canceled the show after just two seasons. Although fans hoped for a continuation through a film—especially given the show’s dramatic cliffhanger ending—the story remains unfinished. The OA stands as a reminder of a particular moment in the early days of streaming and highlights the evolving landscape of television.
The OA Was an Ambitious Piece of Sci-Fi Television Ahead of Its Time
2016 was a huge year for Netflix, marking the debut of its massive hit, Stranger Things. While also sci-fi, another series, The OA, didn’t reach the same level of popularity. The OA tackled more complex and ambitious subjects, including the impact of a school shooting, which was central to the story.
Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij created the show. It also starred well-known actors like Jason Isaacs, Emory Cohen, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Zendaya.
The OA had a fascinating idea at its core and initially generated a lot of buzz. It wasn’t a typical science fiction show; it mixed science, religion, and fantasy in a way that was ambitious, though perhaps a bit too unusual for mainstream audiences.
A Decade Later, Its Cancellation Says More About Netflix Than The OA
The critically acclaimed series The OA was ultimately canceled because it was expensive to make and didn’t reach a large enough audience. Looking back, its fate highlights a shift at Netflix towards decisions based on data and algorithms. While Netflix still collaborates with prominent directors like David Fincher, it’s now less likely to invest in unique, artist-driven shows like The OA compared to its earlier days.
Netflix usually gives new shows at least two seasons initially, but continuing a show beyond that point—especially with increasing production costs—becomes much harder.
Over the past ten years, television has changed dramatically. Shows now often look and feel like movies, with bigger budgets, bolder ideas, and famous actors. Even shorter series, like The OA, have pushed the boundaries of what TV can be. Despite this, streaming services like Netflix are increasingly focused on creating content that’s likely to be popular, relying on data and algorithms to satisfy viewers rather than taking creative risks.
While Netflix has sometimes cancelled ambitious science fiction shows like The OA, it continues to invest in others, including Pluribus, For All Mankind, Severance, and Foundation. Plus, Netflix is still trying to buy Warner Bros., and if it succeeds, it will likely have more control over HBO shows and other content in the future.
As a result, it will likely be difficult for them to compete, as Netflix is expected to dominate streaming content for the time being.
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2026-02-20 03:07