Netflix: Videos Between Episodes Are Not Commercials
A lively thread erupted with many vowing to quit the service if it adds commercials, prompting Netflix to set the record straight.
"We are testing whether surfacing recommendations between episodes helps members discover stories they will enjoy faster," Netflix explained in a statement issued to CNN. "It is important to note that a member is able to skip a video preview at any time if they are not interested."
Some Reddit users said they couldn’t skip the commercials, while others saw a "skip" button.
Noting that Netflix conducts hundreds of tests a year — most of which are not implemented — the Netflix spokesperson disputed the characterization of the videos as commercials, referring to them instead as personalized recommendations for other shows and movies on Netflix.
The spokesperson said the service conducts hundreds of tests a year, most of which are not implemented. An example of a test that made the cut in 2016 was the addition of video previews that play when users browse, which prompted experiments with other types of videos. The rationale for the videos is that they “significantly” reduce time spent browsing, Netflix told CNN.
Netflix has more than 130 million customers in 190 countries. More than 56 million subscribers are in the U.S.
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