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They are pushing their own programming (trying to encourage consumption of the programming that you already have access to and already paid for). I don't think

They are pushing their own programming (trying to encourage consumption of the programming that you already have access to and already paid for). I don't think it's fair to the conversation to compare it with the umbrella of commercial endorsements.

maxerickson 8y ago
If you can't opt out of it it's pretty damn fair to make the comparison.
- seanalltogether 8y ago
  It might be more fair to compare to public broadcasting stations. BBC doesn't have paid commercials but they do advertise their own programming between shows.
- endorphone 8y ago
  Ignoring that you can opt out, if you can't understand the difference between information and advertising that is your own failing.
  - p1necone 8y ago
    Sure I understand the difference, but that doesn't make one better than the other. Netflix interrupting what I chose to watch with something that I did not chose to watch is (in my subjective experience) pretty much equally bad whether it's information about other Netflix shows or an advert for breakfast cereal. (Also is there an actual "I don't want to see these any more, permanently" option? Or are you just talking about the ability to skip each individual one manually?) (Edit 2: also how is it not advertising? Just because it's advertising their own product doesn't mean it isn't advertising.)
    - endorphone 8y ago
      >Netflix interrupting what I chose to watch Well no, they didn't. They put it between auto-play episodes. Auto-play, as an aside, is pushing an additional episode that you did not choose to watch. A preview of the next episode is a preview that you did not choose to watch. Both are about engagement. >also how is it not advertising? Just because it's advertising their own product doesn't mean it isn't advertising Their own product that you already have paid for and can watch at no additional cost, and at no additional incremental revenue for Netflix. Yes, they are trying to make sure that you enjoy the product and continue subscribing, but it's a world different from trying to sell you a chocolate bar or laundry soap. These discussions on HN turn absurd because people like to engage in absurd rhetoric to engage in an emotional plea to exaggerate something. It's boring.
      - p1necone 8y ago
        What you're arguing seems absurd to me. Auto-play is just playing the next episode in a series, that is what I chose to watch. I don't need Netflix to "make sure that you enjoy the product and continue subscribing" by making my viewing experience worse, when I run out of stuff to watch I'm perfectly capable of browsing the library myself, or looking up suggestions online.
  - maxerickson 8y ago
    "If you can't opt out" was a qualifier, not an assertion. I don't use Netflix and didn't research how the feature works. The idea that the "information" they provide is not at all intended to modify your behavior is laughable.
    - endorphone 8y ago
      Okay, but your own ignorance isn't relevant to the fact that your spittle-laden reply wasn't relevant. >The idea that the "information" they provide is not at all intended to modify your behavior is laughable. Strangely I made no such claim. You're 0 for 2 now but strangely it doesn't stop you.
wnevets 8y ago
Isn't how cable networks started and people made that exact same argument on why it was ok?
- endorphone 8y ago
  I have no idea. I do know that the "something followed this path, therefore anything on that path is evil" argument is, and has always been, specious and a dead end.
  - wnevets 8y ago
    My point is why makes you think netflix won't follow the same path?
    - tomhoward 8y ago
      One factor is that it's much easier to switch off Netflix (or any other internet-based streaming service) than it was (until recently) to switch off cable TV.

maxerickson 8y ago

If you can't opt out of it it's pretty damn fair to make the comparison.

seanalltogether 8y ago
It might be more fair to compare to public broadcasting stations. BBC doesn't have paid commercials but they do advertise their own programming between shows.
endorphone 8y ago
Ignoring that you can opt out, if you can't understand the difference between information and advertising that is your own failing.
- p1necone 8y ago
  Sure I understand the difference, but that doesn't make one better than the other. Netflix interrupting what I chose to watch with something that I did not chose to watch is (in my subjective experience) pretty much equally bad whether it's information about other Netflix shows or an advert for breakfast cereal. (Also is there an actual "I don't want to see these any more, permanently" option? Or are you just talking about the ability to skip each individual one manually?) (Edit 2: also how is it not advertising? Just because it's advertising their own product doesn't mean it isn't advertising.)
  - endorphone 8y ago
    >Netflix interrupting what I chose to watch Well no, they didn't. They put it between auto-play episodes. Auto-play, as an aside, is pushing an additional episode that you did not choose to watch. A preview of the next episode is a preview that you did not choose to watch. Both are about engagement. >also how is it not advertising? Just because it's advertising their own product doesn't mean it isn't advertising Their own product that you already have paid for and can watch at no additional cost, and at no additional incremental revenue for Netflix. Yes, they are trying to make sure that you enjoy the product and continue subscribing, but it's a world different from trying to sell you a chocolate bar or laundry soap. These discussions on HN turn absurd because people like to engage in absurd rhetoric to engage in an emotional plea to exaggerate something. It's boring.
    - p1necone 8y ago
      What you're arguing seems absurd to me. Auto-play is just playing the next episode in a series, that is what I chose to watch. I don't need Netflix to "make sure that you enjoy the product and continue subscribing" by making my viewing experience worse, when I run out of stuff to watch I'm perfectly capable of browsing the library myself, or looking up suggestions online.
- maxerickson 8y ago
  "If you can't opt out" was a qualifier, not an assertion. I don't use Netflix and didn't research how the feature works. The idea that the "information" they provide is not at all intended to modify your behavior is laughable.
  - endorphone 8y ago
    Okay, but your own ignorance isn't relevant to the fact that your spittle-laden reply wasn't relevant. >The idea that the "information" they provide is not at all intended to modify your behavior is laughable. Strangely I made no such claim. You're 0 for 2 now but strangely it doesn't stop you.

wnevets 8y ago

Isn't how cable networks started and people made that exact same argument on why it was ok?

endorphone 8y ago
I have no idea. I do know that the "something followed this path, therefore anything on that path is evil" argument is, and has always been, specious and a dead end.
- wnevets 8y ago
  My point is why makes you think netflix won't follow the same path?
  - tomhoward 8y ago
    One factor is that it's much easier to switch off Netflix (or any other internet-based streaming service) than it was (until recently) to switch off cable TV.