Netflix just launched something that could evolve into a must-have feature for streamers: "Moments" is a simple feature that allows a user to set a bookmark inside a show. This allows you to easily find your favourite scenes again later. Crucially, the Moment can also be shared as a url with other people. If they are also Netflix subscribers, they can go straight to the bookmarked scene in their own Netflix service. I imagine this feature will be popular on social media as fans share and celebrate iconic scenes. And it's only a few more iterations from being a powerful referral engine for new users. What if the bookmark created a 20-second clip that could be sent to anyone, Netflix subscriber or not? If the tech and content rights could be sorted out, a new peer-to-peer acquisition channel could be developed in this way. I really like this feature - anything that can make the sign-up journey more organic is a good thing. What do you clever people out there think? Kudos to Henrik Karlberg for the article.
The technology also exists to track and isolate specific objects within the frame. Imagine liking that shirt a character is wearing or the lamp on the table in the background and being able to click and save it to your cart. It will be the future of product placement in media production.
I like the feature as a social connection / integration. But will it drive new sign ups? Or will people be happy with just seeing the 20 second clips their friends send them and move in with their scrolling and swiping? Genuine question, this could be a smart move for driving heavy sign-ups, or just a smart move for community building between existing fans. Spend a moment on X / Twitter where 20 second out of context clips that people choose to share are substituting people ACTUALLY watching the full news. It's clear from reading most comments sections that most people are NOT doing any further exploration after seeing 20 seconds of content. They're happy just with what they see at face value without having to make any further effort.
Is for any show on the platform? Or just Netflix Originals?
A nice add. The creative team when cutting a promo for a fan favorite movie always is looking for “that moment when”. Now viewers can get in on the fun. So many… “We’re gonna need a bigger boat” “can turn you to a rooster to a hen in one shot”. “I can see your dirty pillows”.
The tech exists. It's called ENVOY. Check it out here www.envoy.is, sub 10 hour integration to keep up with Netflix (has +2,000 developers).
I wonder if one will be able to share w friends or social. How many times I’ve sought out movie scenes / clips on YouTube to share w friends.
Thanks for sharing, Christian Toksvig. I have never understood Netflix’s hesitation to allow consumers to create social connections within the app for discovery and sharing purposes. All the consumer research I have seen suggests strong consumer interest.
they used to have social integration then it went away, it's good for something to come back. I'd also love to be able to note shows/movies/episodes as watched already.
The Genetic Freak
2wOr maybe they could write compelling stories and make good TV shows.