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Netflix Is Experimenting With Advertising
derekmead writes: Netflix is experimenting with pre-roll and post-roll advertisements for some of its users. For now, it's just pitching it's own original programming. However, many are concerned that they plan to serve third-party ads, but the company says they have no plans to do so. They told Mashable in a statement: "We are not planning to test or implement third-party advertising on the Netflix service. For some time, we've teased Netflix originals with short trailers after a member finishes watching a show. Some members in a limited test now are seeing teases before a show begins. We test hundreds of potential improvements to the service every year. Many never extend beyond that."
In other words, within a year or two we will be rolling out ads that you will be forced to watch before you can view the programming you pay a subscription fee for.
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
Ah ... I remember when cable TV started putting ads in. Didn't turn out pretty.
Just, no. Slippery slope. It starts with ads for it's own stuff. Followed by ads from "selected" partners. I've paid my subscription fee. No ads.
To claim Netflix doesn't advertise omits a very background, but present form of advertising. It's called product placement, and it's where instead of buying some generic Cola or use a generic computer, or random cellphone, they clearly show it's a Coca-Cola, or an Apple iMac or a Samsung. If you ever wonder why they show closeups of a phone's screen or something, it's usually to show the logo for a second or two. Normally they'd just have the actor say it out loud (oh look, a call from Dad, etc), but if it's a product placement, you'll see a closeup on screen with "Dad" printed on it.
And really, I'd be surprised if Netflix's original shows aren't doing this - it's been generally marked as the least objectionable form of advertising because it adds realism (who drinks Cola? You know it's either a Coke or a Pepsi), and sometimes, the efforts of hiding logos is just plain silly.
And it's usually done during the writing stages where the show producers generally solicit sponsorship.
I know Netflix doesn't currently run normal commercials other than brief clips of other Netflix originals, but I'd be surprised if they aren't doing the product placement thing.
Google Play placed ads at the beginning of Archer episodes. It pissed by off considerably. I pay good money to NOT see commercials. Being force-fed ads when I paid for something (a movie ticket, a Google Play video, etc.) is about the surest way to get me to stop paying you money.
Seriously, fuck you Google. And if you do this, fuck you Netflix too.
It's not fucking entitlement, it's recognizing what you're paying for. ADS for a PAID SERVICE is DOUBLE DIPPING. Full stop. Cable is just as scummy, and the only reason the companies get away with it is that TV is a widespread addiction stronger than heroin.
Maybe because the original intent of cable tv was you paid a subscription which pays for the shows. No advertisements needed. The big networks still broadcast over the air for free. If you bring in advertising then you clearly don't need my subscription costs.
Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
cable tv you see ads.
You know Cable TV started on the premise of "no ads", right? Now they have nothing but ad channels. The 80s were a glorious, ad free, time all supported by your monthly payment.
And my axe. Get off it also.
Bye Netflix. It was fun while it lasted.
Yep, I grew up in a country town that is now an outer suburb of Melbourne. Saturday afternoons was the "$0.20 children's matinee" at the local theater, first we got a couple of cartoons, then everyone stood quietly to attention for "god save the queen", then John Wayne would come on and there was a roar of delight from the crowd, then we all start playing cowboys and indians in the theater. The adult staff did not try to control our behaviour, except to make sure we all stood quietly for the national anthem ( if you were silly enough to be sitting down an usher would come over and lift you to your feet by your ear), no child was ever thrown out, and we took full advantage of that policy. :).
Somewhat ironic that my first memory of "freedom".is being locked in a large padded room with 100 kids and John Wayne. Still, it worked out great from a social POV, everyone shopped on Saturday morning because the shops were closed Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, so after "shopping with the kids", the kids got to burn off their energy and mum and dad got a quiet afternoon to restore theirs.
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.