As expected, Netflix gives 'Stranger Things' a second season

Stranger Things

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Stranger Things

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Most networks renew hit shows quickly because hit shows are hard to find.

Netflix isn't like most networks because it's not technically a network. It doesn't release ratings. It sends out entire seasons at once. And it was oddly slow renewing "Stranger Things," arguably the most buzzed about show of the summer. The show finally confirmed a second season today and it will return to Atlanta's EUE Screen Gems as home base.

The announcement was made via video:

I called it three weeks ago . It was fairly obvious based on various metrics, from critical praise to outside ratings to social media. An outside company Symphony Advanced Media revealed that 14.08 million 18-49 year olds streamed the show in its first 35 days, third highest in the past year on Netflix behind only "Orange is the New Black" and "Fuller House."

The first season ran only eight episodes. Typically networks would give a hit show more episodes season two. Netflix did so as well but just barely: nine episodes will appear sometime in 2017.

The supernatural drama was set in 1983, focused on a young boy's disappearance "Poltergeist" style and a telekinetic girl who helps his friends find him. Winona Ryder and Matthew Modine added nostalgic notes amid a cast of unknown kid actors.