Netflix Is Adding 20 Original Shows Next Year

Netflix has big plans when it comes to adding more original content to its library. The company is planning to release about 20 unscripted series in 2017, according to Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

Netflix revealed Monday that the company would spend $6 billion on new programming next year, creating 1,000 hours of original programming and 20 unscripted shows, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Speaking to investors at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, Sarandos talked about Netflix’s upcoming competition show and a “new model” for the service. Sarandos couldn’t help taking a dig at Amazon, the company behind Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle. Sarandos implied that Amazon was not “gaining much traction” despite a high level of spending. Amazon recently added HBO and Cinemax programming — which Netflix doesn’t offer — for Prime members for an additional fee of $9.99 per month.

“Maybe it sells Prime memberships or other things I’m not privy to, but right now it just looks like they’re spending a lot of money,” Sarandos said at the event.

Netflix currently has 30 original scripted series in development or release, and is planning to get into unscripted shows. Sarandos referred to unscripted programming as a “very interesting business.” He said that Netflix can come up with unique concepts and has the ability to scale its shows.

“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,” said Sarandos, as reported by The Wrap.

Sarandos also offered an update on Netflix’s efforts in original content, including its investments in feature films. He said Adam Sandler films that Netflix made are quite popular, accounting for a third of subscriber viewing on Netflix, but didn’t say how many people were watching them.