Netflix is testing ads and people are freaking out

Subscribers are NOT HAPPY.
 By 
Jack Morse
 on 
Netflix is testing ads and people are freaking out
Skip. Credit: AYTAC UNAL/ANADOLU AGENCY/GETTY

Say it ain't so.

The company that almost single-handedly introduced us to binging video has apparently gone decidedly old-school with the latest innovation being tested on its platform. That's right, Netflix is running commercials.

So reports Cord Cutter News, which notes that the streaming giant is showing some subscribers ads for other video content between shows.

We reached out to Netflix in an attempt to determine just how many users are affected and other details about this brazen attempt to mess with our streaming bliss, but received no response as of press time. However, the company did confirm the news in a statement provided to Cord Cutter News.

"[We] are testing whether surfacing recommendations between episodes helps members discover stories they will enjoy faster," read the statement in part. "It is important to note that a member is able to skip a video preview at anytime if they are not interested."

Basically, Netflix is telling us all to chill out. Its subscribers apparently missed the memo.

Thankfully, at present this appears to be only a limited test. Should the company decide to roll it out to all its roughly 130 million subscribers, however, there are going to be a lot of angry people begrudgingly dragging themselves off couches to reach for that "skip" button on their laptops.

The horror.

Topics Netflix

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Jack Morse

Professionally paranoid. Covering privacy, security, and all things cryptocurrency and blockchain from San Francisco.

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