Netflix Axes Starting 5 After Two Seasons as Ratings Slump
Netflix is benching sports docuseries Starting 5 after two seasons, with disappointing ratings ending the LeBron James, Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama-backed series that followed five NBA stars on and off the court.
Netflix has quietly benched 'Starting 5' after two seasons. The NBA doc show followed five star players each year on and off the court, and despite the names involved both in front of and behind the camera, it is not coming back. The timing is quick too: Season 2 wrapped just about five months ago, and the reported reason is simple — not enough people watched.
Why it got cut
According to Sports Business Journal, Netflix decided against a Season 3 because the show underperformed. Both seasons reportedly delivered soft streaming numbers, and Season 1 trailed Netflix's NFL doc 'Quarterback' — which is not where you want to be if you are trying to become Netflix's next big sports hit.
What the show was
Each season followed five NBA stars through the grind: the games, the travel, the injuries, and the off-court life. Season 2 ran eight episodes.
'Step inside the season that redefined the NBA, alongside the superstars who made it unforgettable. Follow Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, and James Harden as they play through moments that shook the league, heart-wrenching injuries, and a Finals series for the ages.'
Who the cameras followed
- Season 1: LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Season 2: Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), James Harden (Los Angeles Clippers)
The stacked production team
This is the part that makes the cancellation a little surprising. 'Starting 5' came from a very loaded roster of producers. Executive producers included Peter J. Scalettar and Rob Ford alongside LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Randy Mims, Ben Turner, Jamal Henderson, and Philip Byron for UNINTERRUPTED; Barack and Michelle Obama with Vinnie Malhotra and Ethan Lewis for Higher Ground; and Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, and Sam Pepper for Omaha. The directing corps featured Trishtan Williams, Susan Ansman, Peter J. Scalettar, and Rob Ford, with Matt Rissmiller, Sami Khan, Audrey E. Smith, and Camara Rose serving as co-executive producers.
The bottom line
Big-name players, big-name producers, and still not enough traction. Netflix is moving on from 'Starting 5' after two seasons, reportedly because the audience just did not show up the way the streamer hoped.