An illustration picture showing the tablet and smartphone app for the Netflix entertainment company, taken on on April 19, 2018 in Paris. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)
Subscribers of video-streaming service Netflix have recently complained about new video promotions for Netflix original shows playing in between some series’ episodes.
This illustration picture taken on April 19, 2018 in Paris shows the French website for the Netflix entertainment company. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)
Netflix customer and Reddit user u/PhantomMaggot from the U.S. posted on Reddit about the issue on Aug. 17.
“I’m watching Shameless and after the episode ended I got a screen saying ‘More Shameless up next…’ then the title card slid off screen and it continued with ‘but first check out Insatiable’ and started playing the trailer.”
He said that he’s been using Netflix for years and uses it almost every day, but it was his first time seeing such a thing. He asked if anyone else had come across the same issue, and other people had as well.
Since 2016, Netflix users have been able to see video previews with audio for shows while browsing through content. However, this seems to be the first time they’ve been inserted in between the episodes of other shows.
According to a company spokesperson, the video promos are being tested and are personalized recommendations based on a subscriber’s viewing preferences. They are also skippable at any time.
At Netflix, we conduct hundreds of tests every year so we can better understand what helps members more easily find something great to watch. A couple of years ago, we introduced video previews to the TV experience, because we saw that it significantly cut the time members spend browsing and helped them find something they would enjoy watching even faster. Since then, we have been experimenting even more with video based on personalized recommendations for shows and movies on the service or coming shortly, and continue to learn from our members. In this particular case, we are testing whether surfacing recommendations between episodes helps members discover stories they will enjoy faster. It is important to note that a member is able to skip a video preview at anytime if they are not interested.
— Smita Saran, Netflix Spokesperson
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 06: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings delivers a keynote address at CES 2016 at The Venetian Las Vegas on January 6, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world’s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 9 and is expected to feature 3,600 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Netflix’s spokesperson told The Epoch Times, that the year-round running tests are meant to do research for future features or experiences developed for the service.
“A feature is only rolled into the member experience when our research shows it something that members actually enjoy and use,” the spokesperson said.
Fortunately, Netflix offers its subscribers a choice in their account settings whether to participate in these tests or not.
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