Netflix to allow thousands of subscribers to give early review of content on streaming platform

A few of Netflix's U.S. users watched "Don't Look Up" before its 2021 release and complained to the streaming giant that it came across as overly serious, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The people claimed that the film's creators took the criticism and increased the comedy to broaden the appeal of the movie. While "Don't Look Up" garnered mixed reviews from critics, it was nominated for four Academy Awards and broke the record for the most weekly viewing hours of a movie on Netflix, which it currently holds.

Early next year, according to persons familiar with the plans, Netflix now intends to increase the number of previewers from the existing base of 2,000+ customers to tens of thousands of users worldwide.


Netflix is working to ensure that every penny invested in programming gets the highest possible degree of member engagement and attention. The company has 223 million customers globally. This attempt is being made as streamers increase their focus on profitability and rigorously monitor their content spending.

Netflix has reported to Wall Street that it plans to keep spending on new programming and movies at around $17 billion per year for the next few years despite losing subscribers for two straight quarters this year. In the third quarter, the corporation resumed growing its subscriber base.

The Netflix Preview Club is a more than a year-old programme that borrows from a long-standing Hollywood practice of getting fan feedback before a major release. Before they are widely available on the streaming platform, some series or movies are watched by viewers, who then react to surveys on the content to express what they liked and didn't.

Netflix has long taken pleasure in giving creators the ability to make artistic decisions, so deciding how much to depend on early feedback from customers presents a difficulty. According to the sources, the streamer tries to be careful to convey criticism without imposing modifications. Typically, the choice of changes is up to the creator.

In the movie "Don't Look Up," starring Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jennifer Lawrence, the world's complacency in the face of a comet that poses a threat to wipe out the earth served as a metaphor for climate change. Adam McKay, the author of "Don't Look Up," didn't reply to calls for comment.


Similar programmes have been used by other streams to get viewer input. Through its "Amazon Preview" initiative, Amazon.com Inc. has asked select customers to assess and provide input on concepts, movies, and TV pilots. The "Hulu Brain Trust" programme, which is run by Walt Disney Co.-owned Hulu, has allowed select users to provide input on programming after it has been released or to respond to survey questions.

Before it is published, content is also tested by Netflix staff. All employees have access to Netflix series and movies before they are officially posted. The firm uses statistics on their watching habits to determine what content is most likely to be a hit.

FAQs:

1. Why did "Fatal Attraction" filmmakers reshoot the ending?
   The 1987 film "Fatal Attraction" had its finale reshot after it received poor reviews from test audiences, despite the cast's opposition to the move.
2. Who is the cast of the movie "Don't Look Up"?
   "Don't Look Up" stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep.