Netlifx is testing an instant replay option that, if launched, would let subscribers rewind to the start of any scene, but the implementation of this feature seems to leave a lot to be desired.
The instant replay capability is available only on a fraction of Netflix’s vast library, including films like “Dumplin’” and “Mowgli”, according to a story Thursday by The Los Angeles Times.
Most digital streaming devices already allow consumers to rewind and fast-forward. Netflix’s new feature offers a more sophisticated version of that functionality by replaying whole scenes or sequences with one click or tap.
The way it works, viewers may see a “Watch That Scene Again” popup after certain scenes that allows them to pause the show and rewind a scene. Netflix has confirmed the test to the paper.
We’re trying out a feature which gives Netflix members the ability to rewatch favorite scenes and memorable moments with the click of a button. Right now we’re just looking to learn from it and may or may not roll it out more broadly in the future.
It did not sit well with users who have it because it’s “devaluing” their experience.
Update: I watched initially via Internet TV, and have not been able to duplicate it on my desktop or phone app. So at the moment it appears to be specific to one platform.
— Scott Renshaw (@scottrenshaw) December 11, 2018
The streaming giant’s been recently testing several features with a subset of its subscribers.
One of the trials involves an affordable mobile-only subscription tier meant to widen the service’s appeal in markets like India and Malaysia. Another test eschews iTunes billing and Apple’s revenue-sharing scheme in certain markets to push new customers to subscribe to the service through the official website. Yet another trial aims to test subscribers’ reaction to having to watch video promotions between episodes of their favorite shows.
There’s no guarantee that all of the trials that Netflix has been conducting will in fact become a permanent user capability. I, for one, am keeping my fingers crossed that this instant replay thing gets reworked before it rolls out to everyone. I hope Netflix is listening to user feedback because the last thing I’m willing to put up with when streaming my favorite movie or TV show from them is a distracting dialog box popping up seemingly on its own.
Thoughts?