Streaming giant Netflix has recently launched a feature called ‘Play Something’ (for TV). This feature will enable its users to experience a more traditional and uncomplicated form of viewing films and television shows available on the platform. Somewhat akin to its traditional DTH counterpart.
Through the feature, by pressing a button, the platform will right away play a movie or a show, based on the viewers’ choices. The crucial advantage for the viewers here would be Netflix’s vast library of content. contrary to the limitation of the inflexibility of titles while watching content on a traditional television format.
By introducing the ‘Play Something’ feature, Netflix has made an earnest effort to decipher the long-standing viewers’ dilemma regarding how to select a title that one wants to watch, out of the massive list of available titles on the streaming platform. The exact algorithm might not be known but it is likely based on your previous viewing track record coupled with your own watchlist.
With respect to its Android app, Netflix has already neatly categorized its menus which includes lists like ‘Popular on Netflix’, ‘Trending Now’, Top 10 in India Today’, ‘Hidden Gems for You’ and ‘Top Picks’, etc.
The app also helps viewers with an extensive genre-wise list of titles. All these lists have just one motive: to help you select the right content you actually want to watch, thereby making your watching experience hassle-free and time-saving.
The ‘Play Something’ feature is an innovative step in the same direction. But the golden question is: ‘Has it cracked the age-old dilemma?’. We are saying so because following this middle-ground approach (traditional TV vis a vis OTT viewing) seems somewhat mildly assertive, as the feature will begin streaming content that the platform thinks you may like watching.
While this may satisfy easy-going and infrequent viewers, however, it may not be as helpful for some veteran movie watchers, who are extremely particular about their viewing choices.
Because despite the fact that the content being played would be as per the likings of the viewer, but perhaps at that moment, the viewer may not be in a corresponding frame of mind, which, in turn, might possibly irk the viewer instead.
However, the good thing is that the feature is merely optional. Those who wish to use it can go for it. Otherwise, they are free to browse through the existing menus and lists.
This user dilemma seems to be an age-old problem apparently with no ideal solution. Remember the times when we used to visit a video rental library and ended up mostly getting the title recommended by the shop owner?
This predicament has only worsened after the OTT boom owing to the sheer number of incoming and outgoing titles vying for your attention and waiting to be watched.
This brings us to an alternative and perhaps a more efficient solution – ‘Must-Watch Listicles’. Many popular entertainment websites provide information regarding myriad lists of films and television shows categorized according to either the genre or actor or language. The feature is an integral part of many leading entertainment websites including the time-tested IMDb amongst others.
Similarly, our own website Binged.com also contains these ‘Must-Watch’ listicles that can help users select the kind of films or television shows they want to watch according to specific parameters. Besides, our website also has a ‘What to Watch’ segment recommending some good, recently released titles that you can try.
Having said that, the popular streaming giant Netflix has taken a step in the right direction keeping in mind the overall user navigation experience, which has become an important factor in the present-day OTT scenario. Bravo Netflix!
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