Netflix is introducing “Direct”, a new form of scheduled programming with curated content. The trial channel can be accessed in selected regions of France, with plans to broaden coverage throughout in the country in December, before possibly rolling it out to other countries.
The traditional Over The Top (OTT) version of Netflix means you are not limited to schedules, and in most cases you don’t need to wait for a week to get a fresh episode of your favourite show.
With that said, it can be frustrating sometimes trying to find that perfect binge-worthy show, and the introduction of Netflix Direct suggests that the traditional experience of flipping through TV channels to try and come across something interesting remains an option that many prefer.
However the success of Netflix Direct will depend on careful curation of content, with a good mix of movies, TV shows, and other specials playing as part of the schedule.
The selection would have to be alter depending on the market, since users in France and users in London will naturally have different preferences about what to watch. We asked a few Londoners the following question: “Would you be keen for a regular, old-fashioned TV channel showing Netflix content?” and they did not all agree with each other. Listen to what they had to say:
