Netflix has reportedly decided to pull the plug on one of its original sports docuseries, cancelling 'Starting 5' after just two seasons. The move marks the end for a show that gave basketball fans an intimate look inside the NBA.
The Rise and Fall of a Basketball Show
According to a report from Sports Business Journal, the streaming giant will not be commissioning a third season of the series. 'Starting 5', which first premiered in 2024, offered a behind-the-scenes perspective on the basketball league, tracking five marquee players each season.
The inaugural season featured a stellar lineup including LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis. For its second season, released this year, the focus shifted to Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Jaylen Brown.
Viewership and Production Details
The series was a high-profile production, being produced in part by Barack and Michelle Obama's company, Higher Ground. Despite this prestigious backing, the show failed to secure a long-term future on the platform.
Viewing figures tell a telling story. Data from What's on Netflix indicated that the first season garnered a respectable 4.6 million views between July and December 2024. However, interest waned significantly, with views plummeting to just 1 million in the first half of 2025.
This performance pales in comparison to Netflix's other sports documentaries. Shows like the NFL-focused Quarterback and the immensely popular F1 series Drive to Survive have attracted substantially larger audiences.
A Poignant Moment and Platform Changes
'Starting 5' was not without its powerful human moments. One particularly poignant scene featured LeBron James meeting the woman who saved his son Bronny's life. The episode documented LeBron's emotional gratitude towards Dr. Erin Tillman, who performed CPR after Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest during a university workout in July 2023.
Meanwhile, Netflix continues its routine content refresh. The service is set to remove several major titles in December 2025. Departing franchises include Austin Powers, Beverly Hills Cop, and The Matrix.
In a significant blow for binge-watchers, all 15 seasons of the fantasy series 'Supernatural' will also leave the platform on December 18. This removal is due to the expiration of a licensing deal with The CW, ending a 13-year run on Netflix during which it became one of the service's most re-watched titles.
The Independent has contacted Netflix for an official comment on the cancellation of 'Starting 5'.
