Chaos Erupts As Netflix Starts Showing Commercials That They Say Totally Aren't Commercials In Between Episodes
TV GUIDE – …Users reported that their beloved binges were interrupted by commercials between episodes for Netflix content that could, theoretically, interest an individual based on the mighty algorithm that runs the streaming service and the world and will one day surely turn us all into Cybermen. Some users also reported that the commercials couldn’t be skipped.
Anyway, in an attempt to set the record straight and quiet that talk of totally getting your dad to cancel the account you’ve been mooching off of for the last five years, Netflix clarified that the interruptions were not commercials, thank you very much, they’re just recommendations, catering to individuals based on their viewing history.
According to CNN Money, Netflix says the ads are skippable and are just a test of a new way of recommending content to users. They’re not being shown to all users and may not go into wide use. It all depends on what the almighty algorithm says.
CNN MONEY – “We are testing whether surfacing recommendations between episodes helps members discover stories they will enjoy faster,” Netflix (NFLX) explained in a statement on Friday. “It is important to note that a member is able to skip a video preview at anytime if they are not interested.”
A company spokesperson said that the videos are not ads or commercials, but personalized recommendations for other shows and movies that appear on Netflix.
After reading a lot about this and hearing the responses from Netflix, it seems like, in theory, much ado about nothing. Netflix is just testing something out to try and recommend new shows and movies to you. They’ve got a super complex algorithm that can analyze what you’re watching and tailor make some suggestions for what else you may like. It’s not like they’re putting your show on hold for 30 seconds to advertise fabric softener or something – in fact, it might actually be kind of cool while you’re bingeing the Office for the 6th time through to get a heads up on other stuff you might want to try.
That’s all in theory though. In reality, a commercial is a commercial is a commercial. Something that interrupts what you’re choosing to watch by showing you something you didn’t choose to watch. It’s an intrusion onto your sacred couch time. And not letting people know about it, and just springing it on them without any sort of idea of the controversy that would erupt, was a huge misstep.
I think Netflix underestimates the mental state of people streaming on their product. I don’t think they fully grasp the place you’re in when you’re watching 19 episodes in a row of the same show. The “Are You Still Watching?” makes us feel bad enough. Yes I’m still fucking watching what’s your fucking problem? Don’t fucking judge me for how long this shit has been on. I don’t want to go out and socialize, I hate talking to people with my mouth, it’s way too much work to put pants on, and tie my shoes, are you kidding me, play the episode and leave me alone, robot. But trying to take it one step further and target the emotional, depressed, lazy, anti-social pieces of shit among us is just cruel and unusual. Don’t piss on our heads and tell us it’s raining and don’t put commercials for your shows in between our shows and tell us they’re not commercials. We’re sorry “How It Ends” sucked ass, make something better and we’ll gladly give you a do over if you don’t shove it down our throats in between Conflict Resolution and Casino Night.
PS,
Jen Savage needs to relax. This isn’t TV like our parents watched. Nobody wants to only buy shows they want to watch, moneybags.