Having Netflix in your life is like dating someone who's perfect, but still goes out of their way to make you feel special and treat you like a queen on top of that. Don't believe me? Consider the recent news that Netflix will be adding preview videos to their service. That basically wanting to put a ring on it, because this streaming platform gets me. It just gets me. Somehow Netflix knew that, sometimes, I don't have an entire hour to commit to figuring out if I like a show. Sometimes, carving out that hour to judge whether I like someone or not can keep me from checking out something new. But that was the past, and Netflix is the future.
These previews will be available via the Netflix app on game consoles, Roku devices, and smart TVs, so keep your eyes peeled for that in the coming months. They're less teasers or trailers than "specially-designed video synopses," which will provide viewers with a bite-sized sneak peek highlighting a title's story, characters, and overall tone. That's sweet and thoughtful, especially coming on the heels that offline streaming is on the table as well. It's like Netflix is going out of its way to make my holiday season even better, and I'm not mad about it.
In a statement, the streaming platform said:
We know we have less than 90 seconds to capture someone’s attention and get them excited about a title. This is our latest effort to continually evolve the Internet TV experience to one that provides greater choice, richer imagery, better context, and a more consumer-friendly experience.
Apparently, testing indicated that the preview videos helped users to "browse less and watch more," and I can't even tell you how accurate that is. I've been looking for an excuse to check out Bloodline — you know, other than every single person and blog in my life recommending it — and couldn't justify committing to a full episode. This new preview feature might be just what I needed, and I know I'm not the only person who already sees all the possibilities here.
Image: Netflix; Giphy
