Narcos

A case study by David Yanes

Intro to Narcos:

Narcos, while a show, exemplifies the genre’s attempt to find new mediums for its expansion and survival. Narcos released in 2015, with its final episode in 2017. The success of Narcos led netflix to launch Narcos: Mexico, a continuation of the series theme but with a new drug lord instead of the deceased Pablo Escobar.

Lack of budget info:Due to its status as a netflix show, not much information is put out about Narcos that is very specific. The only information Netflix chooses to put out is the fact that in 2017, Narcos was Netflix’s most popular show. The budget of Narcos, while not officially out there, can be assumed to be quite high, due to the overseas filming locations, visual effects, and overall measure of quality the show seems to maintain-additionally the show pays for security of all cast members- including scouts who have to go out to find locations for the show, often treading into unsafe locales still plagued by drug cartels to a lesser extent (or in the case of Narcos:Mexico, downright unsafe in many areas).while on set overseas, an added expense. Netflix is not very open about its expenses, most likely to hide failures or successes to appeal investors.

Lack of info- continued:

Netflix doesn’t publish budget or returns for advertising or profit on Narcos, but the overall advertising budget was probably not that high- Netflix had funny ad campaigns such as placing stickers on bathrooms advertising information on the cocaine featured on the show, but they relied mainly on already present Netflix subscribers to watch the show, using their big banner/snapchat story imitation on their app/site to advertise to current subscribers about the show and its new episodes.

Advertising Tie-ins/Spinoff:

Narcos recently made a video game (a strategy game for some reason) in an attempt to advertise the show- but the video game centers around the already released Pablo Escobar seasons, so it’s not clear as to why this was made- to attract new fans to an older show via a mismatch of genres?

Production/Distribution

Netflix produced and distributed the show, and they clearly expected it to do well- the show was an early forerunner of their original high-budget shows meant to draw customers to the platform via “exclusives” or “it” shows you had to have the platform to watch. It can only be watched on Netflix, as Netflix intended.

Controversy:

Narcos: Mexico recently came under criticism for fears of a lack of safety amongst the cast, as the filming in many violent areas in Mexico have some members worried. A location scout for the show was recently shot dead in his own car while trying to find a location for the show- a death that has worried producers for the publicity and will probably stunt new seasons to the show.

Clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahHj7jPXK-U

Bibliography:

Sources:https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/10/06/narcos-netflix-amazon-hulu-measure-popular-shows/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/location-scout-for-netflixs-narcos-shot-dead-in-mexicohttps://www.adweek.com/creativity/netflixs-secretive-new-narcos-ads-are-popping-up-cocaine-like-in-nightclub-bathrooms/https://store.steampowered.com/app/914110/Narcos_Rise_of_the_Cartels/https://screenrant.com/narcos-rise-of-the-cartels-review/

https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/10/06/narcos-netflix-amazon-hulu-measure-popular-shows/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/location-scout-for-netflixs-narcos-shot-dead-in-mexicohttps://www.adweek.com/creativity/netflixs-secretive-new-narcos-ads-are-popping-up-cocaine-like-in-nightclub-bathrooms/https://www.adweek.com/creativity/netflixs-secretive-new-narcos-ads-are-popping-up-cocaine-like-in-nightclub-bathrooms/https://store.steampowered.com/app/914110/Narcos_Rise_of_the_Cartels/https://screenrant.com/narcos-rise-of-the-cartels-review/