this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2025
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59
Netflix wants programming for distracted viewers (theconversation.com)
submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by otter@lemmy.ca to c/technology@lemmy.world
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from newsletter:

Have you ever found your mind wandering while watching a show or a movie as you become distracted once again by your smartphone? I confess it happens to me too often, requiring me to rewind to figure out what I missed — when what I should do is simply turn off my phone.

But Netflix apparently knows that most of us find it impossible to pay close attention when our phones are nearby. So the streaming giant is creating what are known as second-screen shows with distracted viewers in mind.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Daphne Rena Idiz of the University of Toronto delves into research she’s conducted on how Netflix shapes screen production in Europe, a region where the streaming giant has invested billions in original content. And, astonishingly, producers there have been told by Netflix executives to make shows that the audience can follow without looking at the screen.

She concludes: “The next time you’re watching a Netflix show and feel the urge to scroll during another repetitive voice-over, the question is: Are some shows written like this because the audience is disengaged, or is the audience disengaged because shows are written like this?”

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[–] Majorllama@lemmy.world 31 points 4 days ago (2 children)

This must be why all the shows feel like they were written by a high schooler. Constantly repeating information like the viewer isn't paying attention. Constant visual AND auditory exposition.

Netflix and streaming as a whole enjoyed a brief reign at the top, but unfortunately they never learned their lesson and we ended up right back where we started.

Too many tv channel packages=more sailing of the high seas. When they made it so almost everything could be found in one place for a small fee we all rejoiced and many got off the ship. But then they went right back to too many channel packages (just now in the form of a hundred individual streaming services) and now we return once more to the high seas.

[–] boonhet@lemm.ee 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The only streaming service I pay for anymore is Apple TV+. They have a bunch of great shit, go check out Severance on TV+ or your favourite torrent site for starters. I also really really loved Carl Hiaasen's Bad Monkey and while I really wanted more, they did the entire book in one season so there's no "will they cancel it before I see how it ends?" Factor.

[–] kameecoding@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago

For all mankind is also really good

[–] FauxPseudo@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Did you see Section 31? People standing around in a circle telling us what they will do, then doing it, and finally telling us what they did. It felt like it burned a third of the screen time.

[–] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 3 days ago

The Netflix enshittification is wild to watch in real time

[–] Obelix@feddit.org 19 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Netflix is creating shows for distracted viewers, Spotify is creating "ghost artists" to stuff playlists nobody is actively listening to, writers writing books nobody is reading and podcasts are produced that are downloaded and never listened to. Great.

[–] umbrella@lemmy.ml 7 points 4 days ago (1 children)

the efficiency of capitalism!

[–] SlopppyEngineer@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

Mass production of the lowest common denominator had always been its thing.

[–] pr06lefs@lemmy.ml 18 points 4 days ago

Maybe this explains why I can't stay interested in most netflix shows I try. Or, maybe they just suck.

I didn't have trouble paying attention during quality shows like Raised By Wolves or Scavengers Reign, but other shows that turn out to just be teen high school drama plus sci fi elements, or similarly predictable tropey fare, just leave me cold these days.

[–] Z3k3@lemmy.world 12 points 4 days ago

I pick up my phone when I'm bored (even now) it's that simple.

Stop creating boring content.

[–] small44@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

I get distracted but not because of smartphone. I always divide movies and shows into 20 min parts

[–] Kng@feddit.rocks 4 points 4 days ago

Sometimes a show is bad. Sometimes some people just are not willing to put the effort into a show and therefore can't really enjoy it that much. By far the greatest shows I have ever watched have been ones I have been highly invested in (watching episodes as they air). This is also why I still prefer to go to the movies since it forces you to completely focus on what you are watching.

[–] magnus919@lemmy.brandyapple.com 3 points 4 days ago

“Blonde” was one of their early attempts at this. They know when the story is losing you so then they have a few minutes of Ana De Armas topless, fapping, etc to get your attention back.