TikTok is a bit of a massive deal right now, as you no doubt already know. The social media app has surged in users over the past few years and has even earned the ire of the previous US Government administration after it’s users booked up hundreds of tickets to a Donal Trump rally to simply not pitch. Needless to say, it’s hot content right now and Netflix wants in on it. The video streaming app that no doubt helped everyone get through last year’s lockdown is launching a mobile feature that replicates the TikTok experience but with clips from its catalogue of shows rather than user-generated content.
The new feature is being called Fast Laughs and features a host of humorous clips from a wide variety of stand-up specials, sitcoms, and comedy films. It looks almost identical to what you’d expect on TikTok or even Instagram Reels, which is Facebook’s attempt at ripping off the Chinese social media sensation. Difference here is if users enjoy a clip they don’t “like” it but rather add to a “watch later” list.
Netflix and the TikTok time bomb
It’s a neat idea that might actually help people figure out what they want to watch; it’s certainly a better solution than just asking Netflix to randomly play something. Patrick Flemming, director of product innovation at Netflix, said “We’re always looking for new ways to entertain and make discovery easier for members”. Flemming goes on to describe Fast Laughs as a, “new full-screen feed of funny clips from a wide variety of Netflix titles, ranging from films and series to our deep bench of stand-up specials.”
It’s actually a smart business move from Netflix as it’s a quick, efficient, and cheap way of showing off all the content on the platform. Whether people will want to scroll through clips of Netflix shows rather than watching some kind of popular dance on TikTok remains to be seen but we for one would much rather be reminded of all the hilarious and depressing moments of Bojack Horseman than browse TikTok.
Source: The Verge