Netflix
For many, Netflix is the original streaming service. It has been joined by competitors such as Hulu and Disney Plus, but Netflix remains the first choice for people wanting instant access to a library of television shows and movies. Despite its popularity, there are still plenty of potential viewers that might be wondering, what’s Netflix like?
Netflix can be accessed through a smart device or computer - you just need an internet connection. The interface is made up of attractive thumbnails, like miniature movie posters, and users can scroll to the right to see more titles, or down to see different categories. Some of the categories match traditional genres, such as ‘Futuristic Sci-Fi’, but they also collect titles together in groups like ‘Bingeworthy TV Shows’ and ‘Oscar-winning International Movies’. The amount of content is overwhelming, and more is added every week. Some users report feeling paralyzed by choice.
Membership comes at various prices, the highest of which allows viewing on multiple screens simultaneously and with higher quality video (Ultra HD). Users can create a profile and save the content they want to watch to their “My List”. The streaming is generally smooth, but if you have slow internet, you can download before watching.
American content dominates Netflix, but there is plenty of international content too, along with subtitles for local languages and usually English. Netflix is available in most countries now, so if you would like to try it, all you need to do is visit their site to join up.
Source: latimes.com
For source links, see the article on ESLNewsStories.com
Useful Language
- Potential (adj) - possible
- Interface (n) - the layout of the screen
- Thumbnail (n) - a small picture
- Scroll (v) - to move through information on a screen to see different parts of it
- Genre (n) - a type or style of book, music, or film
- Bingeworthy (adj) - a TV show that is worth watching many episodes of consecutively
- Overwhelming (adj) - too large or powerful to think about or deal with
- Paralyzed (adj) - unable to move
- Simultaneously (adv) - at the same time
- Dominate (v) - to be the most common part of something
Discussion
Discuss the following questions with your partner(s).
- What is the last television show or movie that you watched? How was it?
- What’s your favorite genre of movie? Why do you like it?
- Do you use Netflix? How is it? If not, are you interested in trying it?
- How is your internet? Is it reliable? Is it fast?
- How do you feel about using subtitles to understand a show? Is it annoying to have to read? Are the subtitles distracting?
- Is watching shows in English a good way to improve your English?
- Do you binge watch television series? What’s good and bad about binge watching?
- Is having too many options ever a problem for you? Have you felt paralyzed by choice?
- Do you care about video quality? Can you watch an old television comfortably?
- Watching a screen for too long isn’t good for our eyes. What should we do instead?