At the 2021 Academy Awards, Will Smith grabbed the attention of viewers and the internet alike when he playfully slapped Chris Rock as he presented the award for Best Documentary Feature. While many viewers saw the incident as light-hearted and humorous, Chris Rock waited until the release of his new Netflix special, Selective Outrage, to address the slap.
The special has been generating a great deal of buzz online, and is seen as a win for Netflix in the streaming wars. It is a testament to the importance of delivering timely, socially-relevant content to attract new subscribers and retain at-risk ones in a highly competitive market. The special is also indicative of the streaming industry’s move toward appointment viewing, as viewers are increasingly turning to streaming services for exclusive content.
With the release of Selective Outrage, Netflix is likely looking to capitalize on the buzz generated by the Oscars incident in order to boost viewership and gain an edge in the streaming wars. Whether the special is successful in doing so remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the incident has certainly added more excitement to the streaming industry.