This is what it means for morning media that Netflix just made history with The Breakfast Club
Morning radio is about to reach people all over the world. Starting June 1, The Breakfast Club will stream live on Netflix every weekday. This is the first-ever daily live show on the platform, and it shows how seriously Netflix is pursuing real-time culture.
Fans of the popular iHeartMedia morning show with hosts Charlamagne tha God, DJ Envy, and Jess Hilarious can still watch it on Power 105.1 and through Premiere Networks distribution. The Netflix simulcast transforms a once-local community radio tradition into a global phenomenon.
It’s important. It’s how Netflix made its money: you can watch what you want, when you want. Live programming completely changes that model, and the company has been trying it behind the scenes with NFL games, stand-up specials, and stunt events like Alex Honnold’s climb up Taipei 101. Putting in more time and money for a daily live show is a bigger commitment. People have to be present for this event because it happens over and over again and is a part of culture.
The site is also making things better for viewers. Instead of showing commercials during the live stream, Netflix plans to fill those times with behind-the-scenes footage, longer conversations, and original segments. This will create a premium version of the show that you can’t get anywhere else.
There will always be changes in the media, but live programs will always be there, Charlamagne Tha God said in a statement. “That’s a big part of why ‘The Breakfast Club’ has been so popular for so long.” Real-time conversation and a real group around the world are what we’re building.
“A big step forward in how we bring culturally defining audio-first franchises to life for Netflix audiences around the world,” said Lauren Smith, VP of content licensing at Netflix. And it was more than one deal.