Netflix Free Library

Netflix Adds A Free Library

September 08, 2020

September 8, 2020

Something unexpected happened this week (or perhaps expected, depending on how closely follow the streaming industry). Netflix officially announced a free library of its content, no sign up required. In what's sure to be the start of something big at Netflix, the company appears to be bowing to pressure from an increasing number of services offering content for free by giving it a go with its own (although limited) free selection of content.This week, we'll talk more about Netflix's free library, what's currently available, it's (massive) limitations, and what this means for Netflix and its competitors down the road.

Streamer's Spotlight: Netflix Goes Free?

Netflix may have helped pioneer the on-demand video streaming market that we know today when it first introduced its online video option back in 2007, but it's been fairly slow to change in the past few years. Competition has become fierce, as Netflix competitors have arisen with as many heads as a hydra. And they've come with lower monthly subscription fees and ad-supported free tiers tight in their mouths.

It seems the rising number of lower-cost and free-tiered competitors have finally forced the company's hand. The company experienced its

. Meanwhile, despite the market rebound in the past few months, Netflix was

back in August.

And given Hollywood has been on a production standstill, Netflix likely predicted some heat in the downstream, likely leading it to shake things up a bit, and this time, by doing something it's never done before: Give stuff away for free.

What's in the Free Library?

Netflix launched its freemium library this week on a trial run basis. Just head over to this link:

So what's there? Some good things, with some major limitations.

  • Stranger Things (Series, 1 episode)

  • Murder Mystery (Movie)

  • Elite (Series, 1 episode)

  • Boss Baby (Series, 1 episode)

  • Bird Box (Movie)

  • When They See Us (Series, 1 episode)

  • Love Is Blind (Series, 1 episode)

  • The Two Popes (Movie)

  • Our Planet (Series, 1 episode)

  • Grace and Frankie (Series, 1 episode)

In all, Netflix is offering around 10 hours of free streaming content, which is not so bad. And as you might expect, it's all Netflix branded content, their biggest subscription drivers.

Notable Limitations

In perhaps the most Netflix move ever, every series available only has one episode to offer. Netflix is clearly intent on using the free tier to drive new subscriptions as hard as possible. This is understandable. Every other streaming service that offers free content delivers it with ads. Netflix remains an ad-free experience, so its free movies and (single) episodes for some of its top shows are also ad-free.

Parental Warning

Also in a move that incredibly Netflix-like, much of the free content is rated R, recommending for ages 17 and up, and includes nudity and violence. For parents, this wouldn't normally be a concern as Netflix has parental filters, but Netflix did not implement any parental filters on the open-to-the-public free library. As such, if you have children, you may need to be extra vigilant as several shows (such as

Elite

and

When They See Us

) have explicit content.

Where To Go From Here?

Netflix should know in short order whether their free library game is working. If it is, they'll likely expand what they have. If not, they'll drop it. Netflix doesn't tend to hold onto models that don't work for very long.

That said, the industry is changing. With a glut of services on the market, consumers are demanding access to more content at lower prices, or free. Yet Netflix isn't going to lower its prices (though it could, conceivably, offer a lower-cost package that includes only Netflix-owned content).

The industry is forcing Netflix's hand on pricing. It'll keep outspending almost everyone, but it's hitting a market saturation point in its primary markets. That means something's going to have to change.

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. Frontline Examines Growing Up Poor Tonight

The newest Frontline episode examines what it's like "Growing Up Poor in Trump's America." Watch on PBS TONIGHT at 9 PM.

 

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2. Get 'Woke' With Hulu's Newest Show

A cartoonist gains the power to hear inanimate objects speak, but what they're saying is the last thing he wants to hear. Streaming this WEDNESDAY. -

3. Controversial 'Cuties' Movie Streaming this WEDNESDAY

Netflix's controversial movie about underage dancers is still greenlit. Watch this WEDNESDAY. -

4. Watch New Orleans Homes Go for Sale on HGTV

HGTV is giving its Selling the Big Easy show a second attempt. Watch this FRIDAY at 9 PM EST. -

News and Industry Developments

1. Netflix Makes Some Content Free

It's a small selection, but it may grow if the company deems it successful. -

2. What's Going on with Netflix and Cuties?

Did you miss the controversy? Here's a breakdown. -

3. Host Any Prime Video Library Movie with Twitch

Amazon isn't sitting on its laurels. You can now use Twitch to host a watch party with movies from Amazon's library. -

4. Disney May Be Launching a 'Group Watch' Feature Soon

Perhaps just in time for the new live-action Mulan, Disney+ may be offering a group watch feature primarily available through third-party apps. -

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