'Making A Murderer' Is Netflix's Latest Mega-Hit In Strategy Shift

Netflix, Inc NFLX’s huge push toward original binge-worthy content has produced another new hit: “Making A Murderer.”

The documentary a decade in the making follows the surreal twists and turns of Steven Avery, a man who served 18 years in prison for a brutal attack before being released in 2003 after DNA evidence exonerated him. Two years later, Avery was arrested and convicted for the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach.

The series was released just in time for holiday binge watching, and the post-Christmas social media and Internet buzz surrounding the series indicates that Netflix has found yet another hit to add to its other binge-worthy award-winning original programs, such as “House of Cards” and “Orange Is The New Black.”

“Making A Murderer” appears to have struck a chord with its audience, so much so that many viewers feel moved to actively lobby online on behalf of Avery. Hacking organization Anonymous, which is well-known for its technology-driven campaigns against the KKK and ISIS, has even declared that it will be releasing documents online proving Avery’s innocence.

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Market Likes It

For Netflix, any publicity is good publicity. Regardless of which side its viewers fall on the innocent/guilty debate, as long as they are taking to social media to discuss the show, more viewers will likely come flowing in.

Netflix, which has operated at a loss in recent quarters due to heavy investment in expanding its content and subscriber base, has drawn criticism from value investors this year.

However, the market has rewarded the company’s strategy up to this point, and the stock will likely finish the year as the top-performing stock in the S&P 500.

Disclosure: the author holds no position in the stocks mentioned.