Its seems Netflix is now looking at ways in which it can better optimize video content for its mobile users. As reported, Netflix’s Chief Product Officer, Neil Hunt, was recently noted explaining to that Netflix is planning to look at offering mobile-specific cuts of some of its content. The idea being that Netflix will be able to take content and repackage it so that it can be better viewed on a mobile device. As Hunt reportedly pointed out, Netflix hopes to “take a master and make a different cut for mobile.”
However, this is not something that Hunt or Netflix seemingly expects to happen anytime soon, if at all. In fact, Hunt was noted stating that it is something that the company “will explore over the next few years” and so it does stand to reason that Netflix is only currently at the early stages of looking at such an experience change. Likewise, it does seem that (at first, at least) it will only be the company’s original movies and TV shows that get the mobile-originated cuts treatment. Which is probably to be expected considering a number of streaming services are now heavily investing in their own content as a way to distinguish themselves from the rest. With a change such as this, Netflix would essentially not only distinguish itself based on content, but also on how the user engages with that content in the first place.
Of course it is not surprising to hear that Netflix is starting to look at new ways to improve the mobile viewing experience. A study reported on earlier today made it clear that video viewing on mobile devices is now significantly on the up with more people turning to mobile to consume video content, compared to desktop. Likewise, the current market does expect video views through mobile devices to continue to rise in the foreseeable future. With Netflix always looking for new ways to increase the quality of its product, as well as maintaining its ever-growing subscriber base, this will likely only be one of the new mobile-first measures that the company considers over the next few years.