1w ago

‘Not second screen enough’: is Netflix deliberately dumbing down TV so people can watch while scrolling?

www.theguardian.com ‘Not second screen enough’: is Netflix deliberately dumbing down TV so people can watch while scrolling?

Streaming insiders have claimed they’re being made to rewrite scripts for viewers who use their phones while watching. Is this the end of prestige TV? Or pure fiction?

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2w ago

‘Not second screen enough’: is Netflix deliberately dumbing down TV so people can watch while scrolling? | Television

www.theguardian.com /tv-and-radio/2025/jan/17/not-second-screen-enough-is-netflix-deliberately-dumbing-down-tv-so-people-can-watch-while-scrolling

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11 comments

Is it Fahrenheit 451 yet? Smells like that.

If I find myself tempted to pull my phone out while watching something, I take that as a sign the content just isn't that good.
- I also take it as unrest in the mind. I sort of don't mind it. Like sometimes I'll play a game while also listening to a streamer on Twitch. As long as neither are distracting to the other I find it kinda nice.

They are dumbing down TV because they’ve changed their target audience to ad-driven plans.

This would line up with their produced content being so ass I don't even bother watching it anymore.
I have ADHD. I was able to watch movies and scroll before they came in and made everything suck.

I like to watch shows while playing video games. Depending on the game is what one I'll pay more attention to
- Yes, this. If it's a grind, I'll put on something captivating. If it's story centric, I won't put on much at all. If it's whatever but does require my eyes, I do a podcast. There's a time and a place for all these things depending on the game.
  
  I would take that as a sign to play a better game tbh. Unless it's a multiplayer game and we are waiting on others to form up anyway but then I give most of my attention to something else until we are about ready to go.
- But that’s what podcasts and weekly YouTube content is for!

If your a writer at Netflix making "Hallmark Channel" clones, what did you expect?

11 comments