Netflix, as we now know, is planning an expansion into the video game market. The surprising twist for the video streaming platform is expected to go live within the next year, though details have been largely absent. That changed today with Netflix's latest letter to its investors. Among the information, Netflix said its customers won't have to pay extra for the service.
Netflix is already at the top of the line when we talk of streaming entertainment services across the globe. It enjoys a massive community of more than 200 million users, although it may seem a big number, Netflix has been underperforming by its own standards, in terms of new subscribers added to the platform during the last couple of years.
Netflix is still considered to be the king of video streaming, but its once vast empire has now been split among other rivaling kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Mickey Mouse. Despite the increased competition, Netflix has kept true to its core service of distributing videos across multiple genres. It hasn't dabbled in audio-only content like podcasts, for example, which seems to be experiencing a renaissance these days. It might, however, soon diverge into video games territory if its new exec is any indication.
Netflix has announced two changes to its Kids platform, both that make it easier for parents to find something for their kids to watch and to monitor what they're streaming. As with Netflix for adults, the Kids side of Netflix is getting a Top Ten banner that reveals the shows other children in the user's country are watching. Joining the new content row is the option to get viewing habit emails.
Today, Netflix and CD Projekt are hosting WitcherCon - an online event devoted to The Witcher franchise. While we knew ahead of time that Witchercon wouldn't reveal any new Witcher games, we had a feeling we'd hear more about Netflix's various series. That's precisely what happened, as Netflix revealed the premiere date for The Witcher season 2 during the show today.
Starting at 6PM BST (12 noon Central Time), there'll be a live stream of the event called WitcherCon. This is the first ever WitcherCon event, celebrating and expanding upon the game series and the television show. This event is co-hosted by Netflix and CD Projekt Red, and will be available to watch and devour without any pre-registration, tickets, or other goofiness.
Hot on the heels of his Army of the Dead, Zack Snyder is returning to Netflix with another project...though it won't involve zombies. The popular filmmaker will bring his Rebel Moon science fiction/fantasy movie to the streaming service; he'll serve as a co-writer for the feature film alongside writers from some of his past hits.
Netflix today announced a new feature that will likely prove very useful for those who often download the shows and movies they watch. The company has announced that users can now watch partially downloaded shows and movies offline. So, if you're like me and you tend to forget to download the stuff you want to watch until the last minute, you can still watch some of the episode or movie you'd been downloading and finish it when you have a stable internet connection again.
Roblox, the online game platform that is popular with kids, is home to another destination full of mini-games and fun: the Starcourt Mall from Netflix series Stranger Things. Startcourt Mall is now part of the Roblox metaverse, according to the company, which says players now have the opportunity to explore the fictional shopping mall in an exclusive experience.
Famous comedian Jerry Seinfeld is, well, famously fond of Pop-Tarts, the rectangle-shaped, fruit-filled pastries. Seinfeld hasn't been shy about making his fondness Pop-Tarts known -- in fact, the product was the subject of one particularly popular stand-up comedy bit. Now the comedian has teamed up with Netflix to the public a new look at this classic treat.
Television shows that revolve around dating are nothing new, and that may be why Netflix has gone to fairly extreme lengths to make its own installment in the genre stand out. Sexy Beasts is a new reality show on Netflix that is all about blind dates, but not in the way you think. Contestants are fitted with elaborate makeup and prosthetics to completely hide their real selves behind a veneer of wildlife and mythical beasts.
Amblin Partners, as led by Steven Spielberg, teamed up with Netflix this week. Netflix and Amblin started a partnership "that will cover multiple new feature films per year." This does not necessarily mean we'll see multiple films directed by Stephen Spielberg released on Netflix - but it could bring bigger-name pictures to the property as exclusives - depending entirely on the parameters of the partnership.