{
  "id": 4217362,
  "title": "Netflix CEO Says 'Nothing In The Data' Could Have Predicted One Of The Streamer's Biggest Shows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/netflix-ceo-says-nothing-in-the-data-could-have-predicted-one-of-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T15:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2243704/netflix-ceo-nothing-data-predict-biggest-show-squid-game/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Squid Game, a Korean thriller, exemplified that exceptional television requires a willingness to take risks. Despite Netflix's data indicating that the show would not garner the global following it achieved, it became one of the most popular non-English titles on the platform upon its release in September 2021. The series chronicled Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), a chauffeur with a gambling addiction who joins a lethal competition to repay debts. In under four weeks, the debut season attracted 111 million viewers, catapulting Jung-jae to new heights and earning him the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. The overwhelming response to the series proved that taking bold creative decisions based on data is a misguided approach. While Netflix has expressed concerns over declining retention rates, Squid Game was an exception, with Season 3 garnering 60.1 million viewers in the first three days of its release, setting a new record for the streaming giant. The show's success led Netflix to contemplate a follow-up series, but this idea was eventually abandoned. Although a Cate Blanchett cameo in the finale led to speculation about a potential spin-off, this theory was later disproven. However, Squid Game's impact endures through Netflix's reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, which has been renewed for a third season. The reality series adapts the original show's ruthless competition, with 456 contestants competing in perilous children's games in pursuit of a million-dollar prize.",
  "summary": "Data drives everything these days - but, according to Netflix's CEO, one show proved that you can't base creative decisions on numbers alone.",
  "key_points": [
    "Squid Game became Netflix's biggest non-English title upon release in 2021.",
    "Season 3 attracted 60.1 million viewers in first three days, setting a record.",
    "Reality show Squid Game: The Challenge renewed for a third season."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}