@g_man: Regarding your concerns about the Defenders series on Netflix.
While I understand the fear about spoilers via binge watchers, I can say that the general online community has been respectful about spoilers on several of the Netflix series like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. It was at least a month before I saw any hint of spoilers on facebook, twitter, or other media. That is subjective to my online social circles, but that's one take on it.
The other benefit to having all 4 series (and the Defenders) launch on Netflix is that they are the safer route for many TV producers when exploring new ideas or adaptations. Kevin Spacey has spoken a lot about how House of Cards' success is rooted in TV Audiences love of binge watching. Also the cost for producing the first Season of House of cards was much lower for that team to pursue than if they had to create a Pilot, pitch it to a network, deal with the Ratings game, and then re-evaluate their plans based on those ratings and if they got a second season. There is also less interference from the networks during the conceptual and production phases.
Look at the history of iconic shows that had to jump through so many hoops only to burn out and initially fail on network TV. Not because the shows themselves were bad, but because of how many changes were made during or between seasons, so they could appease the network heads. Not the audiences. Take into consideration the changes that many fans are skeptical of regarding Constantine on NBC (the bisexuality and smoking aspects). If the creative team wanted to deliver a less Prime-time friendly version of the show, they could go the route of premium cable like HBO, Stars, or Showtime. That leads into another problem which is accessibility. Not everyone is going to drop the 30 to 60 bucks a month just to get a movie channel for one show. Game of Thrones and Sopranos being exceptions of course but for a comic show? Not likely. Via Netflix, the creators (Marvel in this case) are not restricted to playing by any of the networks' tone, ratings, or financial rules. They can create the series and story they want to make on their terms while making it readily available to fans to enjoy on their own schedule.
Considering that the Defenders center around Marvel's street-level heroes that aren't as glitzy or polished as the Avengers, this will allow Disney/Marvel to give the characters the right amount of grime and violence, while still keeping to maybe a T+ level of comic content. Or keep them from turning into another CW styled hero series.
Just my opinion, but considering you have brought up these concerns several times via the podcasts, I thought it one that I would start a dialogue about.
Kantrip
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