"Breaking Bad" Producer Thanks Netflix for Rescue: How Do They Make Money?

Vince Gilligan, the producer of "Breaking Bad," recently spoke to Variety to commemorate the show's tenth anniversary of its grand finale. In the interview, Gilligan said, "I don't know how streaming platforms make money."

Gilligan added, "The rise of streaming has brought significant changes to the industry. It reminds me of a quote from Charles Dickens - it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Without the emergence of streaming, I might not be sitting here for this interview, and 'Breaking Bad' might have been canceled due to low viewership."

The impact of "Breaking Bad" on the industry is undeniable. A similar situation occurred with "The Walking Dead": the fourth season's finale on AMC attracted less than 2 million viewers, but soon after, the fifth season's finale drew in 10 million viewers.

"Streaming, just like what Netflix did, came to our rescue like cavalry in the final moments, allowing our shows to continue," Gilligan said. "But I'm in the dark about how streaming platforms make a profit. How do you make money from over 700 TV shows, each with only 6 to 8 episodes, typically spanning just two or three seasons? I assume Netflix is profitable - at least that's what they tell Wall Street - but I can't fathom how streaming can be a profitable business compared to the traditional ad-based system. However, we know this system works and it's making money."

"Netflix pioneered this streaming model, and everyone else had to follow suit, which damaged the old systems," Gilligan continued when discussing the many streaming services that have emerged in recent years. "The whole thing feels precarious, on the brink of collapse." (Source: Gamespot)