Streaming platform, Netflix has added a brand new feature for its users starting from August 1st! The platform will now allow users to adjust the playback speed of various series, films, stand-up specials and whatever else they might be watching.
With this update, Netflix has added one of the most requested features to its site. The playback option will allow users to speed up shows to 1.25x and 1.5x or slow down to 0.75x and 0.5x.
As per reports, the option is currently only available for US viewers who have an Android phone or tablet but it’s expected to rollout worldwide in a few weeks.
Although it has been in testing for a while now, the option has garnered some criticism from creators who have long expressed their reservations for the feature with many even doubting the need for such a feature in the first place and directors who don’t want their films or TV shows tampered with, just wanting viewers to watch it in the way they designed them to be watched.
Netflix has taken these criticisms under purview and capped the outer speed limit of the playback speeds while also being mindful of certain viewers who might benefit from such an upgrade. Two such groups are the National Association of the Deaf and the National Federation of the Blind who have whole-heartedly welcomed the group.
People who are deaf usually need to slow down the speed of the audio so that they can clearly listen to the dialogue and people who are blind are usually used to listening shows at a faster rate. So this feature is a definite win for the community.
One thing’s for sure, users will definitely be able to watch more content within the same duration and increase their consumption on the streaming platform – a win for Netflix more than anyone else.
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