Ever since digital streaming
service Netflix popularized the concept of “binge-watching” multi-part media
(movies with sequels or series with many episodes), it has been developing and
introducing several features that it feels will optimize the viewing experience
for people ready to watch for hours on end. One of these ease-of-access features
however has become increasingly annoying for Netflix subscribers, and that is
auto-play. The preview browsing auto-play tended to take up space one needed to
surf for media to watch, while the series next-episode auto-play skipped the
credits of a completed episode as well as the opening sequence of the following
one. Viewers have been unimpressed with auto-play for years.
Which is why, according to The Verge, Netflix has bowed to popular
pressure and is offering the best reprieve binge-watchers have against the bane
of auto-play. In a new update to their health center, the global digital
streaming platform finally made official in Help Center text the simple fix
found by inquisitive subscribers not so long ago. It will offer auto-play-free
viewing of streaming content across all devices with Netflix that a subscriber
uses. All one needs to do is visit Netflix’s website on a web browser to change
settings.
To wit, a subscriber needs only
to log on to their Netflix account on a browser, go to the Manage Profiles
menu, and select which of their viewing profiles they want to turn auto-play
off for. As earlier stated, there are two auto-play modes that one can alter
settings for. They are the next-episode auto-play (which cuts the end credits
of finished media content as well as the opening credits of its next
installment), and the browsing preview auto-play. Both are affected by check-box
menus to enable or disable, and these carry over to all devices using the altered
profile.
Netflix had dubbed streaming
auto-play an intended feature for the benefit of its subscribers, especially
the binge-watchers. But while there are indeed viewers who appreciate the
quickness of content to start, those who are opposed have become increasingly
vocal. They include the likes of filmmaker Rian Johnson (“Star Wars: The Last
Jedi” and “Knives Out”). When a Twitter user creates a new account dedicated solely
to complaining at Netflix for auto-play, it is clear that the intended feature
has worn out its welcome for many.
0 comments:
Post a Comment