Netflix Cuts The Cord On Its Line Of Interactive Programming
Only four of the titles currently on the platform will remain after Dec. 1.
Giphy
News that is entertaining to read
Subscribe for free to get more stories like this directly to your inboxA strange series of events followed the launch of Netflix more than a quarter century ago. What began as a mail-based service to rival Blockbuster’s in-store video rental model has evolved to become the standard-bearer for our current era of streaming content.
And along the way, Netflix has ditched various services and features that no longer reflected its evolving mission.
Most recently, that played out with the company’s decision to pull most of its interactive programming.
What’s included in the purge?
According to reports, there are two dozen titles currently listed on Netflix’s menu of “Interactive Specials,” but 20 of them will be nixed at the beginning of next month.
The concept of interactive content sparked some attention when Netflix first rolled out “Puss In Book: Trapped In An Epic Tale” in 2017.
From there, new specials dropped from popular titles like “Carmen Sandiego” and “Boss Baby,” each of which allowed viewers to make decisions that impacted the outcome of the story.
Although the gimmick was interesting, most of these titles failed to gain a significant audience. Now, all but four — “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Vs. The Reverend,” “Ranveer Vs. Wild With Bear Grylls,” and “You Vs. Wild” — will soon be vanishing from the platform.
Is interactive content dead?
Just because most of these specials fizzled out on Netflix doesn’t mean that streaming services are giving up on the concept of letting audiences play an active role with their content.
One prominent example involves gaming, which has enjoyed varying degrees of success on platforms including Netflix and YouTube.
But when it comes to interactive content, Netflix spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher concluded: “The technology served its purpose but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas.”
Why Is The Aging Voyager 1 Probe Sending Back Incoherent Communications?
It's been speaking gibberish for a few months and officials are concerned.
One Woman’s Massive Donation Is Wiping Out Tuition At This Medical School
Her inheritance came with the instruction to do "whatever you think is right."
Woman’s Pets Will Inherit Her Multimillion-Dollar Fortune, Not Her Kids
It's not the first time four-legged heirs were named in a will.