Data: Netflix weathering 'Cuties' backlash, cancellations were a 'short-lived phenomenon'

The “Cancel Netflix” trend might be winding down.

The streaming giant faced serious backlash following the release of the controversial French coming-of-age film “Cuties,” which led to a spike of cancellations on the platform, according to several independent studies.

Analytics research firm 7Park Data told Yahoo Finance that Netflix (NFLX) cancellations hit a peak of about 5x the normal levels observed in January 2019 — with spikes running 2.8x the average rate over the last five years between September 10 - September 18.

However, by September 18 and September 19, the churn rate dropped back to its normal average as the social media rampage against the company began to lose steam.

Cancellations were initially concentrated in middle America, along with the Southern U.S. region. Maine and Alaska were two outliers that saw particularly high levels of cancellations as well, according to data 7Park collected between September 10 - September 13.

Yet, even in these less densely populated regions, cancels quickly normalized within just two days, 7Park added.

“Cuties” has faced bipartisan blowback, with high profile politicians like Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard — who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination — hammering the film for over-sexualizing young girls.

Netflix has defended its decision to release the film — calling it “a social commentary against the sexualization of young children.”

In a statement, a spokesperson said “it's an award winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we'd encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie.”

Alexandra is a Producer & Entertainment Correspondent at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @alliecanal8193

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