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Ever since the first episode of the drama series Breaking Bad was released on the AMC Network on January 20, 2008, television hasn't been the same. Creator Vince Gilligan crafted one of the most captivating TV shows of all time, with every single episode offering a flawless blend of dark humor, suspense, and unique stylistic choices. Since the final episode "Felina" aired on September 29, 2013, the series has gained an even greater reputation because of the impact of its writing throughout each season. Yet something else seems to be at play here.
Writers Rani Molla and Peter Kafka of Vox illustrate that a particular network was most likely responsible for Breaking Bad's overall triumph beyond its series finale:
After old episodes of the drama about high school science teacher and meth dealer Walter White began airing on Netflix, the show got more popular on AMC, its original network. Usually, audiences for TV shows dwindle over time. With Breaking Bad, the opposite happened: Its season four finale had less than 2 million viewers; but when the series finale aired two years later, its audience had grown to 10 million people.
This outcome not only shows the effects of consistently ingenious storytelling from a creative standpoint, but also how streaming positively impacts a show's reputation. There are quite a few reasons why Netflix has catapulted Breaking Bad even further into the spotlight, and has reaffirmed the show as a creation that will remain timeless for many more years to come.
Originally, Breaking Bad's contract with Netflix was meant to expire in February 2025, and IMDb's statement about audience response says so much about the series' influence on the world:
As that time is quickly drawing near, many fans [began] expressing their concerns on social media, worried that the show would be leaving its longtime streaming home.
Considering this quote, one must wonder if Breaking Bad's Netflix extension through April 18, 2027 primarily occurred because of the social media "concerns" and pressure. If the show had not had a profound effect on both critics and audiences, would it no longer be available to stream?
Who is the unexpected "hero" of this contract extension? Is it the audience and the pleas made on social media, or the power and convenience of streaming services?
In my humble opinion, Netflix wanted to give both fans and newcomers the opportunity to simply appreciate the show for an additional two years. After all, every show gains new viewers at some point, either before or after its final episode. Breaking Bad is one of the very few media creations that continues to bring long-time fans back into its world because of how engrossing it truly is. With this, newcomers will endure the great pleasure of experiencing this show's greatness for the first time, strengthening its reputation even more.
In addition, two other pieces of media from the Breaking Bad universe also reside within Netflix: Better Call Saul and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. Vince Gilligan's relationship with Netflix has been clearly established since 2013, and so the decision to extend Breaking Bad's run on this platform (without commercial interruptions, unlike on the AMC Network) seems to be a combination of both audience disappointment and the convenience of Netflix.
As a result, this show's rise to over 10 million viewers only grows stronger by the day, and although it will bid farewell to Netflix next April... it will undoubtedly remain a special part of countless people's hearts for the rest of their lives.
