US-based Netflix is offering 10 of its films and shows free of charge, including hits such as Stranger Things and Bird Box.
Netflix is upping its streaming service marketing in an increasingly competitive industry with this move.
Through this offer, the streaming service provider will allow non-users from across the globe to access some of the most popular Netflix Original content, for the first time.
These users won’t have to pay anything to watch these free content or even make an account on Netflix. The firm is optimistic that the users will be encouraged to join their subscription once they watch the content.
Free content
Netflix will give free access to select movies including Murder Mystery, Baby Boss back in Business, Bird Box and The Two Popes.
Some of the most prominent television shows will also be available at no cost. The list includes Love is Blind, When They See Us, Stranger Things, Elite, Grace and Frankie and Our Planet. Netflix clarifies that content selection can change from time to time.
Increased competition
It’s not unusual for such platforms to give free trials, and over the years, Netflix has attempted a number of promotions. But it faces a more competitive market than ever – with Apple TV+, Disney+, Peacock and HBO Max debuting this past year.
Earlier, Netflix has occasionally offered a free movie or show as a preview — the hit rom-com To ‘All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ was available to anyone for about a month. More recently the company has put out a bunch of free documentaries on its YouTube channel.
But the latest offer is one of the larger-scale releases of its content yet.
For now, Netflix’s expansion has not been affected by competition. Moreover, during the first two quarters of the year, pandemic-fueled lockdowns supercharged its growth as people stayed indoors. But the company gave a disappointing 3rd-quarter outlook in July, startling investors.
Restricted offer
The free promotion is restricted. While it freely provides some of the best-known shows and movies on the internet, the preview works only on personal computers or an Android device.
This means that the free material is not available through the Netflix mobile apps, nor does it work on the browser of the iPhone.
Though the viewers can watch the movies completely, only the first episode of a show like “Stranger Things” is available free of charge under this offer.
