Jess C. Scott once said, “People are sheep. TV is the shepherd. Netflix is the shepherd on steroids.” Okay, maybe that last part was fictitious, but Ms. Scott would have been very much correct if she had tacked that amendment onto her statement. Television is a reprieve and a source of entertainment for the masses; Netflix, with over 44 million subscribers, is a television streaming service that offers a large degree of freedom and has skyrocketed in popularity since its inception in 1997. Let’s see where these two options measure up in the areas of program offerings, viewer-friendliness, and moderation.
A rhythm emerges as television programming causes viewers to internalize and abide by a higher television schedule; by establishing that they will take an hour or so off every Monday and Tuesday night to watch The Voice, they do not feel guilty by temporarily putting their troubles aside to indulge in a treat. The uniformity gives them something to look forward to.
However, teenagers are busy. Adults are busy. Even children are busy. In the age of long work hours, it can be difficult to find time to tune into new episodes on television. Netflix is the solution to this weakness of regular television broadcasting. It enables people to watch their favorite shows whenever they want to. Raghav Mathur ’15 concurs that “the convenience provided by Netflix, of being able to start watching something and finish it at your leisure remains unparalleled by the world of broadcast TV.”
One feature of Netflix that illustrates its flexibility is its ability to allow busy viewers to pause episodes and resume them later. In this area, television can be seen as the weak link, providing a regularity that many people cannot afford to keep up with. It also does not allow for the “more” that Americans crave; once an episode ends, the network drives ahead with its schedule and there is nothing to satisfy the craving to continue experiencing the world of the show that just ended.
There is a lurking danger that lies with Netflix’s lack of moderation, however. The infamously nicknamed “binge watching” has emerged as a phenomenon characteristic of a streaming site such as Netflix; viewers, captivated by the show, or unwilling to leave the comfort of idle entertainment, watch dozens of episodes in one sitting. The enticing possibility of watching episodes consecutively and the “watch next episode” button that appears at the end of each installment create a tricky situation. Madeleine Kusel ’16 discusses this trap, recognizing that one “can watch a season [of a show] in, say, 48 hours. Theoretically, of course.” Watching numerous episodes in a row is a tempting opportunity, and one to be wary of.
The television assumes a conscience role by way of advertisements. These breaks from pure television programming serve as a well-needed reminder to viewers they do, in fact, need to get back to their real-world affairs. Unlike Netflix, television forces self-control. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is up to the viewers.
Netflix contains the promising possibility of watching shows from the beginning and continuing the series chronologically, so that viewers can experience the show’s full offerings. It does come with limits, though; Savitha Krishnan ’16, though an avid fan of Netflix, admits that “Netflix never has the latest seasons of any TV shows they offer, so you’re never completely up to date.” Members must have patience in waiting for seasons to be updated online. Netflix provides a great opportunity to start television shows and watch the episodes in order; television is better for those who wish to stay up to date.
In regard to content, television offers a number of channels; however, it cannot compare to Netflix’s diversity in its offerings. Kusel praises Netflix’s selection of shows: “I can watch old comedies that don’t air regularly like The Office, for example.” Netflix allows her to watch programs she would ordinarily not have been able to watch because of its lack of television airtime. Krishnan adds, “On Netflix, you can catch up on [How I Met Your Mother] or watch the latest romcom whenever you want,” pointing out that you do not have to wait for a show or movie to air on television; you can pull it up on Netflix and watch it instantly, whenever you have time.
For the Ridge student, teacher, or family member, television is the more conservative, moderate option that boasts a steady schedule. On the other hand, Netflix offers convenience, comprehensive content offerings, and overall resourcefulness. Whichever option you opt for, keep in mind that television shows are not the most important part of your life, and indulge in them carefully; try to strike a balance between work and play and you will be just fine, either way.