the NetFlix Broadcast Model

oxygen

I really like the Netflix business model and its subscription service. The availability of mostly previously aired material for a subscription, I think the Netflix recommendation thread here on boards is proof of that. Also I have like everything they have self-produced recently, particularly House of Cards. I think a lot of networks could go down this route, I would pay a smaller subscription for live streaming of HBO or some AMC content

But the one thing I really dislike is the broadcast model. Viewing an entire series of a show in a couple of sittings causes plot point to be lost, damages the narrative, and reduces my inclination to keep renewing my subscription which is how I thought Netflix would like to keep its customer base, keep them wanting the new broadcast of a TV show. Watching a quality show in bulk can ruin time off, or even a weekend. I much prefer having 4-5 hours of quality shows spread out over the week.
I know I way preferred Game of Thrones this year, because I viewed it over the space of ten weeks as it was broadcast.

What’s people’s opinion, they like the simultaneous series broadcast, of would they like to spread it out over a set number of weeks.

wes

There is nothing stopping you from watching one episode a week yourself. There broadcast model, gives the viewer the choice on how they wish to view it. So, if you want to binge, you can. If you want to watch one or 2 a week, then you can.

I actually think there model, hurts them more than the viewer, as if they kept the show going over a few weeks, they would be able to spread coverage, review etc over a few weeks, and keep up interest.

oxygen

wes wrote: »

There is nothing stopping you from watching one episode a week yourself. There broadcast model, gives the viewer the choice on how they wish to view it. So, if you want to binge, you can. If you want to watch one or 2 a week, then you can.

I actually think there model, hurts them more than the viewer, as if they kept the show going over a few weeks, they would be able to spread coverage, review etc over a few weeks, and keep up interest.

Ah yea, but to be fair, there is the natural inclination to watch as much of a series as is available. If its a good series like. Many a late night I have looked at my watch and thought "One more episode, this one will be the last". Happy now:) Sad later

Yea, thats what I dont understand either, surely it does hurt their own business model to make every episode available at once.

hardCopy

I much prefer the boxset/netflix way of watching a show. I find it much easier to immerse myself in the show if I can watch a few episodes back to back. Self restraint can be a problem of course, I lost entire weekends when I first discovered The Wire.

It is nice to have a weekly ritual of watching an episode a week of something, especially if you watch with someone else. Myself and girlfriend have been doing this recently with Grey's Anatomy and Love/Hate, but Love/Hate is a boxset that we just allow ourselves a single episode a week of and we were a week behind on Grey's, watching last week's episode on PVR each week.

So I can see what you miss about having the shows spread out, but you can still do this yourself, it just requires discipline.

The only real downside is not being able to talk to friends about the latest episode each week that you have all watched separately at the same time.

ScumLord

oxygen_temp wrote: »

Ah yea, but to be fair, there is the natural inclination to watch as much of a series as is available. If its a good series like. Many a late night I have looked at my watch and thought "One more episode, this one will be the last". Happy now:) Sad later

Been there done that but to be fair you've no one to blame for that but yourself.

I guess the problem there is Netflix is working off a back catalog so they have the entire series there for you to watch. You might start the first episode while someone else is halfway through the second series, I don't see how they could restrict how often you get an episode.

I'm sure down the line they may be more like TV stations and get access to brand new series which would force them into showing one episode a week, which would make it something like most TV broadcasters sites like 4OD where you can catch up on the latest episode or watch the entire series.

miralize

I'd rather be invested with something I want to watch that passively watching something I dont really care for..

EyeSight

I hate listening to people moan on this. If you don't want to watch a season in one go, then don't

I, like many others, like watching at my own pace. In the last few years many people have downloaded seasons of shows and watched them in one go. This is the same(except legal).
Netflix are trying something new in TV, screw them right?

ixoy

Much prefer this model - I can tease out a show if I want or consume it more rapidly. I set the pace and not some antiquated TV model. If anyone watches it too quickly, it's their fault and it's in their power to do it. That's the best thing you see about this - you decide it yourself.

I love how Netflix offers me the full series all at once. It's how I've watched TV for years and one episode a week, spread over 9 months would drive me insane. Though that said I'm one of those odd people who if I find a show I love will often wait till the final episode has aired before working my way through it.

December2012

I love marathoning through a TV show myself. I find I absorb more of the plot and the immersion gives me a better experience.

There's no way to know exactly how the market is going to go. If Netflix end up completely dominating (who knows, lots of competitors in the US) then they may switch how they handle home-made shows to keeps subs. The market and system is still just finding its feet and it'll be a while before it stabilises.