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

https://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

archive.org link

84 points · 11 comments · view on lemmy.world

11 Comments

Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee · 68 pts · 1y (1 reply)

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.

Bonesince1997@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 1y

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.

reddig33@lemmy.world · 36 pts · 1y

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

Majorllama@lemmy.world · 27 pts · 1y

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.

EABOD25@lemm.ee · 15 pts · 1y (4 replies)

I like to watch shows while playing video games. Depending on the game is what one I'll pay more attention to

taiyang@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1y (2 replies)

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.

Korhaka@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

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.

taiyang@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Some good games sometimes still have grindy bits so I wouldn't make that assumption. Or it's optional but feels rewarding, etc. Really depends.

paraphrand@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

But that’s what podcasts and weekly YouTube content is for!

yesman@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

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

nightwatch_admin@feddit.nl · 2 pts · 1y

Is it Fahrenheit 451 yet? Smells like that.