Netflix has been quietly receiving feedback from members about original content for about a year – before release.

Since May 2021, the streamer has been reaching out to small groups of subscribers with a proposition: the company is inviting them to participate in a panel to provide feedback on Netflix’s upcoming movies and TV shows before they’re released publicly.

“At Netflix, we’re building a community of members to watch and provide feedback on upcoming movies and series, and we’d like to know if you’re interested in being a part of it,” read a recent group broadcast Email from subscribers, a copy of which was obtained from diversity. “It’s simple, but it’s an incredibly important part of creating great content for you and Netflix members around the world.”

Netflix confirmed that it conducted the subscriber feedback panels, which only took place in the US

Such focus group tests are commonplace in Hollywood and have been for years. And Netflix routinely tests new features with some of its subscriber base as part of its product development process. For example, prior to last year’s broad launch of Play Something, it conducted extensive testing, a shuffle play feature that selects a title for someone to watch based on their viewing history and watchlists. In addition, as is standard in the industry, Netflix is ​​making pre-release screeners available to entertainment critics.

For the customer feedback panels, Netflix is ​​asking members to watch several upcoming movies and series over the course of about six months. After watching each movie or series, members fill out a survey “to let us know what you liked, didn’t like, how you would make it better, or how likely you would recommend it to a friend.” and family.”

Like other studios, Netflix uses member feedback to potentially make changes to the films and shows before they are released. It’s worth noting that Netflix’s updated culture memo, released last week, includes a new “Artistic Expression” section, stating that it “will not censor specific artists or voices,” even if staff members label the content as ” harmful”.

Netflix requires members attending Prerelease screenings to agree to keep the films and series they watch confidential and to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement. According to the email, Netflix selects members for the panels who “represent a range of perspectives.”