How Netflix Used Data to Create House of Cards: A Revolutionary Approach to Content Creation

Danial Amin
3 min readMar 6, 2023

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AI using data to create a similar show as stranger things (Midjourney POV)

Netflix has become a household name when it comes to streaming movies and TV shows. It was founded in 1997 and originally started as a DVD-by-mail service. However, with the emergence of streaming technology, Netflix changed its business model and started offering on-demand video content through its online platform.

One of the most popular shows on Netflix is House of Cards. The political drama series premiered in 2013 and ran for six seasons until 2018. What's interesting about House of Cards is how it was created. Netflix used data to create the show, which was a groundbreaking approach at the time.

Netflix had access to a vast amount of data from its users. It knew what they liked to watch, how long they watched for, and when they stopped watching. This data was used to make programming decisions, including the creation of House of Cards.

Netflix's House of Cards is a political drama that took the world by storm. What's even more interesting is how it was created – using data! Yes, you read that right. Netflix used data to make programming decisions and optimize its marketing efforts, leading to the creation of one of its most popular shows.

But how did Netflix do it? The streaming giant had access to a treasure trove of user data – what viewers liked to watch, how long they watched for, and when they stopped watching. Armed with this information, Netflix decided to produce an American adaptation of the British hit show, House of Cards. Directed by David Fincher and starring Kevin Spacey, the series was bound to be a hit.

But that wasn't enough. Netflix dug deeper into its data and found that viewers were more likely to binge-watch shows with complex storylines and high production value. Armed with this knowledge, Netflix released all 13 episodes of the first season of House of Cards at once, breaking away from traditional weekly release schedules. This strategy encouraged binge-watching and generated a buzz around the show, making it an instant hit.

But Netflix's data-driven approach didn't stop there. The company tested various images and trailers on different audiences to see which ones generated the most interest. This data was then used to create the final promotional material that was released to the public.

The success of House of Cards paved the way for Netflix's content creation approach. The company continued to use data to create hit shows like Stranger Things and Narcos, proving that data is the key to unlocking viewership and engagement.

In conclusion, Netflix’s use of data to create House of Cards is a fascinating example of how technology is changing the world of entertainment. With its data-driven approach, Netflix is at the forefront of streaming innovation, continually pushing the boundaries and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. So, sit back, relax, and binge-watch your favorite shows – all thanks to the power of data!

How would content look like if AI has to develop it altogether (Midjourney POV)

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Danial Amin

I'm passionate about data science and I believe it has the power to change the game.