From streamlined binge-watching experience, users of Netflix may now start seeing ads, which promote in-house shows, cutting down between episodes and movies. Meanwhile, the web streaming giant clears out confusion amidst the negative public reaction brought about its recent corporate move.
On Friday last week, news that Netflix is rolling out promotional videos of its own content between episodes and movies raised a public outcry from its users who immediately went to social media to voice out their anger. A lot of them even went on to throw threats of cancellation of subscription if the entertainment service provider pushes through with its plans, the report from Fox reads.
The Los Gatos, California-based tech firm was quick to release a statement in hopes to clear the air of confusion with its loyal user-base saying that it is only running the ads to test "whether surfacing recommendations between episodes helps members discover stories they will enjoy faster."
In essence, Netflix only wants to further streamline the user experience by providing these "recommendations" rather than leave subscribers to decide for their own on what to watch - a task which, as many of users may agree, can take hours upon hours of just browsing the wide plethora of content titles.
The report from BBC went on to say that Netflix doesn't really want to "add commercials" into the supposedly ads-free service while adding that these promo videos "can be skipped" - a claim that contradicts some reports.
According to CNBC, a Reddit thread titled "Netflix forced me to watch an unskippable ad for 'Better Call Saul'" picked up steam online, garnering close to 5,000 upvotes from other Redditors. The said post has since been deleted.
Netflix, which was founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, utilizes user's data to help the site create suggestions for its viewers.
As Hastings previously said earlier this year, the company's testing initiative is aimed for them "to see what are the efficient ways and productive ways" to enjoy the offerings.
Hastings, who also served as the chief executive officer of the firm, clarified that members can easily opt out of these testing experiments anytime they want to just by going to Netflix.com/donottest.
As with commercial ads, the company chief said that Netflix's commitment to free the site of it is what makes the red and black website different from other streaming services.
Product placements do happen but only within the show or movie. For example, in Netflix's original "Stranger Things," the main characters are dining on KFC chicken.
