Netflix Launching Zombie Reality Series: Here's Why A Contestant Says 'We're Going To Die'

For years, reality television has been one of the top categories for consumers. Competitions based on singing, dancing, dating, celebrities and survival have been among the most watched shows. Hits like “American Idol,” “Britain’s Got Talent” and “The X Factor,” which feature Simon Cowell, have been huge hits for media companies.

A leading streaming company is taking reality competitions in a different direction.

What Happened: Streaming giant Netflix Inc NFLX ended the most recently reported first quarter with 232.5 million global paid subscribers.

The company has grown its subscriber base over the years through acquired content, original content and international expansion.

Reality television could be among the company’s new focuses for growth among new users and retention of keeping old subscribers on the platform in an environment where streaming subscriptions may be cut by consumers.

Netflix is set to launch “Zombieverse,” a survival reality series set in Seoul, South Korea, later this year. A new trailer shows details on the reality competition, including a release date of Aug. 8.

In the trailer, contestants run around spots like a store and an amusement park, trying to escape from “zombies.” A voiceover tells the contestants of an “unknown infection” and the “unusual, violent symptoms” it's causing.

“We’re going to die,” a contestant says in the trailer.

The new series comes from the art team behind “All of Us Are Dead,” a Korean zombie series that aired on Netflix previously, according to Deadline.

Contestants on “Zombieverse” will be tasked with working together to find food, water, transport and shelter. The contestants will also have to complete tasks and avoid getting “bitten” by a zombie.

Deadline reports the show will include some notable names among the cast including actor Lee Si-young, comedian Park Na-rae, rapper DinDin, former baseball player Yoo Hee-kwan and actor Kim Jin-young.

Related Link: Squid Game Reality Show Has Medics Called For This Reason 

Why It’s Important: Netflix has pushed deeper into the world of reality television with shows like “Love is Blind,” “Perfect Match” and “Too Hot to Handle.”

The streaming company previously announced a reality adaptation of the hit show “Squid Game,” which is the company’s most popular series ever.

“Squid Game; The Challenge” is expected to have 10 episodes and air later this year.

Netflix will report second-quarter financial results on July 19 after the market close. Discussions on new shows, like the aforementioned reality competitions, could be a major highlight of the company's future content slate.

NFLX Price Action: Netflix shares trade at $437.16 at the time of writing, compared to a 52-week trading range of $169.70 to $450.97. Shares of the streaming company are up 147% in the last year and up 48% year-to-date in 2023.

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