It’s easy for a Netflix subscriber to watch one episode after another of a favorite show: a viewer makes a selection and lets them keep on coming.
Subscribers are now facing promotional videos, which can last from 10 to 20 seconds. Almost like a commercial, they appear between episodes, reminding viewers not to miss a different show on Netflix.
Netflix users were not happy.
“If @Netflix gives us commercials I will absolutely cancel my subscription. I literally pay for no commercials,” a Twitter user identified as Gigi posted.
Netflix users complained they could neither skip nor mute the videos.
But Netflix said that the company was not adding commercials but merely testing promotional videos, which can in fact be skipped. “We have been looking at ways to insert rich video into our experiences for several years,” said Smita Saran, a company spokeswoman.
“These video promos are actually personalised recommendations for titles we think a member may enjoy watching,” Ms. Saran said.
It was not clear how many subscribers were seeing the videos. Mr. Saran said the company does not comment on where such tests are conducted but that they are done globally. NY Times
