NETFLIX has been screening upcoming TV shows and movies to some users in order to get feedback ahead of their public release.
According to Variety, small groups of subscribers in the U.S. have been watching original content early for about a year.
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Feedback panels watch “several upcoming movies and series over the course of about six months” and then give Netflix their review.
Potential participants are invited to take part in one of these panels via an email, a copy of which was obtained by Variety.
“We at Netflix are building a community of members to view and give feedback on upcoming movies and series, and we’d like to know if you’re interested in being a part of it,” the email reads.
“It’s simple, but an incredibly important part of creating best-in-class content for you and Netflix members all around the world.”
Netflix confirmed that it has been running subscriber-feedback panels for roughly the past 12 months.
After they finish watching a movie or series, members fill out a survey where they evaluate what they’ve seen.
They’re encouraged to tell Netflix “what you liked, what you didn’t, how you’d make it even better, or how likely you’d be to recommend it to friends and family.”
The groups could help Netflix identify potential hits or even make edits to content before release.
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It’s unclear how Netflix selects participants for the programme.
Hollywood studios have held similar focus groups for years to test the waters with audiences ahead of major releases.
Netflix itself frequently releases new features to select subscribers before rolling them out to a wiser audience.
For instance, the “Play Something” shuffle feature was recently trialled to ensure it gelled well with subscribers.
After admitting to losing 200,000 subscribers in its latest earnings report, the streaming giant is looking for new ways to make money.
Netflix has blamed increased competition, password sharing and Russia’s war with Ukraine for the drop.
Last month, the company announced that it will charge users who share their passwords between households from next year.
Subscribers will be asked to fork out extra to add members who don’t live with them, in the latest crackdown on account sharing.
It emerged in March that the streaming giant was already testing the additional charges in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru.
Users who share passwords are forced to cough up around £2/$2.70 in addition to their monthly subscription fee.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
