Skeptics say that Netflix's (NFLX 4.17%) binge viewing model is a growth deterrent, virtually guaranteeing that the best shows won't gravitate to the streaming network. Fool contributor Tim Beyers offers a different view in the following video.
Viewers get to watch original programming in a cluster if they so choose, and then move on. Often, Tim says, they switch to related content. The empty feeling of finishing a good series is best filled by a show in the same general genre that's well-liked by others.
Even those who leave Netflix after the binge teach the network something, which, in the end, is the point. Netflix isn't an ad-driven business that demands buzz and social chatter in order to get fans excited for their next "appointment" with the show and its accompanying ads. Pay TV, such as HBO, doesn't suffer from this challenge, but the point remains: Netflix is at its best when viewers regularly experiment with a wide range of content.
CEO Reed Hastings doesn't want viewers waiting for the next thing; he wants members watching so his team can gather the data and make smart decisions about where (and what) to invest in next. Investors should want the same, Tim says.
Do you agree? Please watch the video to get Tim's full take, and then let us know whether you prefer binge viewing, or the suspense of week-to-week drama.
