Netflix has made the decision to end the sports docu-series ‘Starting 5’ ahead of its expected renewal, citing low viewership numbers as the primary reason. According to reports from The Sports Business Journal, the streaming giant has decided not to proceed with additional seasons of the show, which follows the lives of select NBA players and was initially met with high expectations given its strong premiere.
The news comes as a surprise to many, given the show’s initial strong start and the fact that season 2 was picked up for renewal. However, the NBA’s new season in late October, combined with the lack of reporting on the show’s production, hinted at a possible conclusion to the series. Omaha Productions, James’ SpringHill Co., and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground were executive producers on the show, adding to its high-profile lineup.
The decision to end the series is likely due to the declining viewership numbers, which have been a concern for many sports-adjacent documentary series on Netflix. The Netflix Engagement Report suggests that the show’s first season picked up 4.6 million views during its first period of availability from July to December 2024, but dropped to just 1 million views in the first half of 2025. The show’s first season didn’t appear in the weekly top 10s Netflix released, and the same happened for season 2, indicating a significant decline in popularity. To put this in perspective, other popular sports docu-series have seen much higher viewership numbers, with ‘Quarterback’ picking up 12.7M views in its opening period and ‘Receiver’ picking up 7.5M views.
This decline in viewership is not an isolated incident, as many sports-adjacent documentary series on Netflix have seen a similar trend in recent years. The Entertainment Strategy Guy has long been warning about the show’s declining viewership, noting that it failed to rank in more US-specific data companies such as Luminate, Nielsen, or Samba. The YouTube trailer for the show also saw a significant drop in views, from 1.9M for the first season to 574k for season 2, indicating a loss of interest in the series. This decision joins the growing list of Netflix cancellations for 2025, and it remains to be seen whether the streaming giant will pivot its strategies to better support its sports content.
The sports-adjacent documentary series experience a boom on Netflix a few years ago, but the oversupply of content has led to a decline in viewership, causing the streaming giant to reevaluate its strategies. When demand doesn’t meet oversupply, Netflix has to decide to pivot, axe shows, and shift strategies. As a result, many sports-adjacent documentary series have seen a short lifespan, with some being cut short like the rugby and tennis series. This leaves fans wondering what’s next for Netflix’s sports content, and whether the streaming giant will be able to find a winning formula.
The cancellation of ‘Starting 5′ is a significant blow to fans who were looking forward to more of the show’s unique blend of sports and storytelling. The show’s executive producers, including Omaha Productions, James’ SpringHill Co., and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, had high hopes for the series, but ultimately, the viewership numbers didn’t support the show’s continued production. As Netflix continues to reevaluate its strategies, fans can only hope that the streaming giant will find a way to revive its sports content and bring back popular series like ‘Starting 5’.
With the cancellation of ‘Starting 5’, Netflix joins a growing list of streaming platforms that are reevaluating their content strategies. The decision to end the series is a reminder that even high-profile shows can fall victim to low viewership numbers. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Netflix and other streaming platforms adapt to the changing landscape and find new ways to engage audiences.
The cancellation of ‘Starting 5’ is a significant development in the world of sports-adjacent documentary series, and it remains to be seen how Netflix will proceed with its sports content. The streaming giant has a reputation for taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports storytelling, but ultimately, the viewership numbers will dictate the fate of its sports content. As fans wait to see what’s next for Netflix’s sports content, they can only hope that the streaming giant will find a way to bring back popular series like ‘Starting 5’.
The cancellation of ‘Starting 5′ is a reminder that even the most well-intentioned shows can fall victim to low viewership numbers. The show’s executive producers, including Omaha Productions, James’ SpringHill Co., and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, had high hopes for the series, but ultimately, the viewership numbers didn’t support the show’s continued production. As Netflix continues to reevaluate its strategies, fans can only hope that the streaming giant will find a way to revive its sports content and bring back popular series like ‘Starting 5’.
