In a recent announcement, Candace Bushnell, the author of Sex and the City, revealed that she will not be receiving royalties from Netflix for the show's move to the streaming platform. As she expressed her frustration, Bushnell lamented about how she believes the way men conduct business resembles a Ponzi scheme.
Bushnell's journey with Sex and the City began back in 1994 when she published her first column in The New York Observer. She then went on to sell the screen rights to HBO for $100,000 in the 90s. The television series, which premiered in 1998 and ran for six seasons until 2004, was later followed by two movies and a spinoff series called And Just Like That, currently in production for its third season.
The news of Sex and the City's arrival on Netflix was announced in January, stating that all episodes of the original Emmy-winning comedy would be available in April. Despite this move, the show, along with the movies and spinoff, will still be accessible to stream on HBO Max. This licensing deal was part of the content agreement that Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO, made with Netflix in July 2023. Notably, Sex and the City was not initially included in this contract.
While the exact amount Bushnell has earned from the original show, movies, and spinoff remains unknown, she confirmed that she would not receive any additional compensation from the move to Netflix. Frustrated by the situation, Bushnell criticized the prevalence of men in leadership positions and their ability to manipulate financial outcomes for personal gain.
Reflecting on the gender disparity in wealth distribution, Bushnell remarked that only around 3.5% of women in the top 1% of earners have made their own money. This revelation left her shocked and highlighted the concerning lack of female empowerment in financial spheres.
In December, Netflix made headlines for its impressive growth in subscribers, leading some to declare the streaming giant as the winner of the streaming wars. Additionally, the platform's ability to revive interest in older shows, such as USA Network's Suits, was noted.
While Candace Bushnell's disappointment in not receiving royalties from the move of Sex and the City to Netflix sheds light on the complexities of the entertainment industry, it also brings attention to the ongoing gender disparities in both income and the decision-making processes within business. As the landscape of streaming services continues to evolve, it is crucial to address these issues and strive for more equitable opportunities for all content creators.
