Netflix connects people through global content

MANILA, Philippines — Providing a digital highway for creative people to share their content with global consumers speaks of what Netflix is about. Its recent Singapore event titled See What’s Next: Asia highlighted that and what audiences can look forward to (like slates of up-and-coming TV series and films). CEO Reed Hastings, chief content officer Ted Sarandos and VP of product Todd Yellin represented Netflix as a new platform of watching. Each took turns to discuss the Netflix journey, creativity and freedom and the role of technology in narrating global stories.

Reed looked back on the history of technology (film projector and camera) and entertainment (film to TV), and talked about the streaming platform-entertainment service ­— and what the Internet allows Netflix to do. Reed shared that subscribers can access content anytime and binge-watch. Netflix creates a movie store for every viewer and brings the world together by sharing content. Such ideas as on-demand, personalization and global share were brought to the fore. Many think that these are the reasons why Netflix has become a hit — and a success story. It connects people to stories they love to watch and possibly explore. Netflix, however, never forgets its core — the content. “What we do is very special. We invest in stories and we commission some of the best stories  around the world,” said Reed.

From Ted’s segment, one could glean from that given its expanse, Netflix is a library (a repository of creative works) that cuts across geographical and cultural borders. It has also addressed the fixed schedule barrier. Thus, one can access content anytime, anywhere. 

Also gracing the event were actor-director Robin Wright, who shared her thoughts on filming House of Cards and the Netflix evolution; Narcos: Mexico executive producer Eric Newman and actors Diego Luna and Michael Peña on building a global franchise; and Mowgli actor-director Andy Serkis.

What’s good about Netflix is, it’s always on the lookout for great stories that need to be told. Examples are House of Cards, which had a very good six-season run, Narcos and Mowgli. Also worthy to mention are shows like The Stranded, Shimmers, Triad Princess, Busted! Season 2, Love Alarm, My First First Love and Kingdom; and animé like Trese (a Pinoy tale about Alexandra Trese who will discover a criminal underworld of malevolent supernatural beings); Pacific Rim; Altered Carbon; Cagaster of an Insect Cage; and Yakuse. Other titles are Roma, Hymn of Death and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: A Midwinter’s Tale to be launched on Dec. 14; Bird Box (Dec. 21); You (Dec. 26); Memories of the Alhambra; Sex Education and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2 (Jan. 11 and April 5, 2019, respectively). Netflix thrives in connecting the (wired, digital) world through great stories. The latter are turned into either TV series or movies. Todd reiterated personalization and said that pioneers in Internet TV have “helped you liberate storytelling,” and how? Netflix is available on varied devices. The streaming platform has evolved from that click-and-play free service in addition to its DVD service. The success of that shift banks on Netflix’s ability to listen to what people say. “We’re constantly innovating and we’re constantly listening to our customers,” he said. Through this, people behind Netflix know the market needs and issues (like in the past, some preferred downloadable content and the quality of Internet was a challenge in specific locations). “We leverage tastes of people around the world. So we work with our members,” said Todd. “Our members help us and we help our members find something great to watch.” Netflix definitely makes unique suggestions for all members. 

As for what the company has learned, Todd had this to say: “It doesn’t matter what your gender is, it doesn’t matter what your age is, it doesn’t even matter all that much where you live.” Netflix, to borrow Todd’s words, is there “to put the right content in front of the right person at the right time.” Achieving this means that Netflix is attuned to what audiences want to watch — and it recognizes that all stories can be global stories and they should be available to all.

Gone are the days when filmmakers works are only shown in their country of origin or global viewers wait for months or years before they can experience these masterpieces. As Todd said, “Now is time to distribute things at the same time.”

The playing field for storytelling has been leveled for content can now come from different directions. Geography is again no longer an issue.

Given the number of titles Netflix carries, people around the globe are given diverse choices that suit their entertainment preferences. You know from narratives to documentaries, which encompass all genres. Subscribers can also watch a TV series or a movie dubbed in their languages, shown with subtitles or they can have them both. Netflix has a team of individuals who know the nuances of specific languages to give the right translation of dialogues.

The way Todd had presented his talk on how technology meets entertainment though personalization of product, one could say that Netflix has something interesting and innovative up its sleeve because “We’re constantly innovating,” he said.