Netflix describes them as ”quick trailers”. The 30-second video previews introduce new content in a ”fun, simple, and easy way”, the company said.
Video instead of pictures
Usually when you browse through a TV service's content library, you are presented with still pictures but in recent years companies have started experimenting with auto-play video and video previews.
That is exactly what Netflix is rolling out on mobile. The 30-second video previews provide a quick introduction to new TV shows, movies or other types of content, and are presented in vertical format.
- ”Each preview is about 30 seconds long and presented in a vertical format, so you can watch them without turning your phone. The previews are shown like a slideshow, so if you see something you like, you can tap play or add to your list. If not, you can swipe or tap the screen to advance to the next preview,” said Cameron Johnson, Director of Product Innovation, Netflix.
The company first introduced video previews on TVs in 2016 where most of its viewers are. Video previews on mobile is the next step.
- ”Years of testing has made it clear that video previews help our members browse less and discover new content more quickly,” he added.
Netflix’s mobile previews are rolling out now globally on iPhone and are coming soon to Android.
