Netflix Adding NASA+ Live Feed

If you love space and science, Netflix is about to add an upgrade that will make you happy. The streaming king will add a livestream of content from NASA+, marking the first time an outside service will provide live content to Netflix in the U.S.

I should point out that NASA+ is a free streaming service that anyone can access without a subscription.

NASA+ streams rocket launches, spacewalks, mission coverage and live footage of Earth from the International Space Station.

The Start of Something Bigger?

Netflix stands miles ahead of its competitors today. After the COVID era, when nearly every media company lauched its own streaming service and pulled their content from Netflix, the streaming war has cooled. Now, nearly every media company has returned to licensing its content to Netflix.

But this presents a bit of a problem for Netlix. How do they increase their subscriber base and improve retention beyond what they’ve already achieved? Most existing IP has been strip-mined at this point. Netflix has dipped a toe into the streaming sports world, but nearly every major league has its rights tied up for the next decade or so.

Earlier this month, France’s TF1 network signed a deal to let Netflix air their broadcast channels. So Netflix could consider bringing something like that to the U.S. It seems a little far-fetched, though.

The next obvious target would be another free content supplier like PBS and PBS Kids. Netflix could also add a huge tier of free channels like the kind you see on Pluto TV, Tubi, or Plex. I think that would make the interface confusing and cluttered, but it’s a possibility.

Why Would a Streamer Add Live Channels?

Peacock has ’em. Paramount+ has ’em. Now Disney+ has ’em. Why?

The answer to this was revealed in a Paramount+ presentation a few years ago. Company leaders reported that subscribers who watched virtual channels stayed on the platform longer and they were less likely to cancel their subscription.

In today’s “attention economy,” you want to do everything you can to keep eyeballs on your platform. When someone exits Netflix, it may be hours or days before they return. By adding live channels, Netflix is hoping it can keep you locked within the Netflix ecosystem longer.

Especially now that it offers ad-supported tiers, Netflix stands to earn more money not just by adding subscribers, but increasing how many ads you see.

Expect the NASA+ feed to be the first of many to come to Netflix.