4 ms·

I wonder if Netflix will eventually get rid of discrete episodes all together. Generally, the end of an episode is when people make a decision to stop or contin

I wonder if Netflix will eventually get rid of discrete episodes all together. Generally, the end of an episode is when people make a decision to stop or continue watching. If the goal is to maximize engagement, it seems like it would be beneficial for Netflix to get rid of those decisions-making points all together and make a season of television like a 9-12 hour movie.

SpicyLemonZest 7y ago
I think most people would avoid the decision to start watching something with a listed runtime of 9-12 hours. Netflix has already made sure that episodes transition automatically and seamlessly into each other, including reaching into the content itself to skip past long credits.
- jakemal 7y ago
  I would imagine going into it, people would optimistically assume they are only going to watch for 30-60 minutes, but end up getting hooked and watching for hours.
NSAID 7y ago
This is an interesting thought. Over the holidays I've been watching my TV than I would during a normal week and I've noticed that my time in front of the screen is much different when there are commercials (forced 2 minute breaks) than when there are not commercials.
crazygringo 7y ago
That wouldn't work because people need satisfying points along the way. Even for TV shows with plots spread over a season, each episode has an arc of an intro that hooks you, development, and then a satisfying conclusion. And we can only hold so many plot details in our head at once, which is why movies and plays generally aren't longer than 2 hours and change. A 9-12 hr megamovie would be deeply unsatisfying to watch, without the carefully structured resolutions along the way. You need satisfying "stopping points" along the way where a few things get resolved but a few more things keep you watching the next night. It's the same way fiction books need chapters and symphonies need movements. Episodes are a basic creative organizational principle.

SpicyLemonZest 7y ago

I think most people would avoid the decision to start watching something with a listed runtime of 9-12 hours. Netflix has already made sure that episodes transition automatically and seamlessly into each other, including reaching into the content itself to skip past long credits.

jakemal 7y ago
I would imagine going into it, people would optimistically assume they are only going to watch for 30-60 minutes, but end up getting hooked and watching for hours.

NSAID 7y ago

This is an interesting thought. Over the holidays I've been watching my TV than I would during a normal week and I've noticed that my time in front of the screen is much different when there are commercials (forced 2 minute breaks) than when there are not commercials.

crazygringo 7y ago

That wouldn't work because people need satisfying points along the way. Even for TV shows with plots spread over a season, each episode has an arc of an intro that hooks you, development, and then a satisfying conclusion. And we can only hold so many plot details in our head at once, which is why movies and plays generally aren't longer than 2 hours and change. A 9-12 hr megamovie would be deeply unsatisfying to watch, without the carefully structured resolutions along the way. You need satisfying "stopping points" along the way where a few things get resolved but a few more things keep you watching the next night. It's the same way fiction books need chapters and symphonies need movements. Episodes are a basic creative organizational principle.