Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

Netflix's Catalog Has Shrunk by a Third Since 2014 Perhaps it's so the streaming giant can focus on quality programs.

By Lindsay Friedman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Netflix | Enhanced by Entrepreneur

Netflix's strategy seems to be more focused on quality than quantity.

In the last two and a half years, the site's library has actually shrunk by a third, according to AllFlicks.com. The site reports that since Jan. 2014, when Netflix had a total of 8,103 titles -- 6,494 movies and 1,609 TV shows -- it now offers just 5,532 titles, or 4,335 movies and 1,197 shows.

With more than 2,000 fewer options to choose from, that means the streaming site's catalog has decreased by almost 32 percent.

Of course, loyalists may argue that, in Netflix's defense, it's put more of an emphasis on quality materials rather than quantity by investing in bigger titles and series. The site's also focused on producing its own original series, such as Fuller House, House of Cards and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Related: Millennials' TV Habits Contrast Sharply Based on Where They Are in Life

But it's also hard not to ignore the piling competition including Hulu and Amazon, also with their own exclusives for popular TV shows, such as Amazon's right to stream Downton Abbey. Both are producing titles of their own, as well.

Though online offerings are continuing to pick up steam, cable is still struggling to find its way back into the heart of the competition. In fact, with a myriad of streaming options, they apparently caused a 50 percent drop in TV viewing even though a recent Nielsen study revealed millennials are watching way more media than previous generations have.

It seems even though Netflix may be shrinking, cable providers remain with more worries.

Lindsay Friedman

Staff writer. Frequently covers franchise news and food trends.

Lindsay Friedman is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here Are the Books on Bill Gates' Summer Reading List

The four books recommended by the Microsoft founder all "touch on the idea of service."

Management

Be a Coach, Not a Referee — How to be a Good Mentor and Manager from a Coaching Perspective

Good mentors are invested in improving the people who rely on them for guidance.

Marketing

Social Media Savvy CEOs Are the Ones Impressing Customers. Here's How to Make Yourself (and Your Brand) Memorable.

CEO impact goes beyond the boardroom. Learn how executive visibility affects your brand and why a strong leadership branding strategy is so critical to your bottom line.

Making a Change

Save Hundreds of Dollars and Learn up to 14 Languages with Daily 15-Minute Sessions on Babbel

Build expanded communication tools for international business ventures.

Side Hustle

These Brothers Had 'No Income' When They Started a 'Low-Risk, High-Reward' Side Hustle to Chase a Big Dream — Now They've Surpassed $50 Million in Revenue

Sam Lewkowict, co-founder and CEO of men's grooming brand Black Wolf Nation, knows what it takes to harness the power of side gig for success.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.