As Netflix pulls 1899 after just one season, some are curious to know whether the show’s significant budget had a role to play in its cancelation.
The multilingual period sci-fi series premiered on Netflix on November 17, 2022. It was an instant hit, reportedly landing in the Top 10 for five weeks and raking in over 250 million viewing hours.
It was one of several spooky series released to Netflix throughout last year, joining Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet Of Curiosities and the chilling true story of The Watcher.
But with 1899 being canceled after just one season, some fans are seeking a reason. So, why are they looking to the show’s budget for answers?
1899 canceled by Netflix after one season
On January 2, 2023, 1899 showrunner Baran bo Odar confirmed the news that the series would be pulled after just one season.
“With a heavy heart we have to tell you that 1899 will not be renewed,” bo Odar wrote in a statement to Instagram. “We would have loved to finish this incredible journey with a 2nd and 3rd season as we did with Dark. But sometimes things don’t turn out the way you planned. That’s life. We know this will disappoint millions of fans out there. But we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts that you were a part of this wonderful adventure.”
The showrunner signed off the note from himself and fellow showrunner, Jantje Friese.
1899 budget was ‘definitely big enough’ for season 2
There has been much speculation over the reason 1899 was canceled after its first season. As reported by Wired, the decision of whether or not to cancel a show “comes down to the data.” Netflix boss Ted Sarandos reportedly explained of the cancellations: “It’s 70 percent gut and 30 percent data. Most of it is informed hunches and intuition. Data either reinforces your worst notion or it just supports what you want to do, either way.”
When looking at 1899, much attention has centered on the show’s huge budget and viewing figures. This has left fans stumped as to why the show would be pulled.
“1899 was in the top 10 for 5 weeks and collected 257,160,000 hours. I don’t know what their budget was, but it was definitely big enough,” one disappointed Twitter user commented about the lack of season 2.
One Twitter user speculated that the budget for 1899 has gone to other Netflix shows: “The budget for the show has likely gone to paying Jenna Ortega for Wednesday S2,” they alleged in frustration. This does not, however, seem to be the case, as even smash hit Wednesday might be leaving Netflix for another platform, the Independent reports.
What was the budget for 1899 on Netflix?
The fantasy maritime period drama 1899 had one of the most substantial budgets a series received last year. In fact, it is the most expensive German series ever made, with millions of euros invested in making 1899.
The budget has been estimated at at least €60 million for the first series. This comes from the €2 million from Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, €10 million from the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF), and a reported €48 million from Netflix itself in the first season of the show.
Previously in Germany, the maximum funding amount for productions was €4 million. The GMPF have increased this, allowing for up to a quarter of the costs incurred in Germany to be covered by the funding. With €10 million pledged to 1899 season 1, that means the series cost a minimum of €40 million.
A look at the most expensive shows Netflix has made
It comes as no surprise that Netflix has silver screen budgets to produce small screen shows. Over the past decade, the streaming site has become home to some of the biggest television productions in the world, from Stranger Things to The Crown.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest budgets we’ve seen from Netflix shows over the past few years, to compare with 1899’s budget:
- Stranger Things 4 – $30 million per episode = $270 million
- The Crown – $13 million per episode = $130 million
- The Get Down – $11 million per episode = $121 million
- The Witcher – $10 million per episode = $80 million
There are a number of other high-budget productions made by Netflix such as House Of Cards, Bridgerton, Bloodline, Sense8, and Orange Is The New Black.
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