Netflix may or may not belabour its plot details because most folks use the service for background noise, but its newest ‘feature’ might well tackle the problem. According to a letter the company shared with its investors, the mobile app will look more vertical shortly.
Which could solve the issue of having to restate what’s happening all the time. At the very least, Matt Damon will be pleased. By putting videos in a vertical orientation, perhaps viewers will actually… be viewers, instead of scrolling their phones every time Kevin Hart comes onscreen.
Netflix enhances verticals
Specifically, the company is “redesigning our mobile experience, including the launch of vertical video at the end of the month.” Exactly what form that change will take isn’t clear, but we’re unlikely to see a narrow-screen version of The Lord of the Rings released on the platform. It’ll take on YouTube’s Shorts, TikTok in general, and anyone else zapping users’ brains with ultra-short and snappy content.
This new “vertical video discovery feed…will better reflect our expanding entertainment offering and make it easier for members to engage how and when they want.” In other words, expect short teasers of the best lines for the films you’re not actually watching because you’re scrolling something else.
If that doesn’t crush your streaming spirit, Netflix isn’t done. The company is also “expanding how we can leverage AI to improve the member experience.” That means handing generative AI tools, via its recent InterPositive acquisition, to the folks who make content on the platform. Will it be slick, or will it be slop? We’ll have to wait and see.
But if all you’re after are vertical Netflix videos, you can expect those from the end of this month.
