Hollywood Is Upset About a New Playback Speed Feature Netflix is Testing

Netflix is testing a new feature where users can SPEED UP or SLOW DOWN the pace of shows . . . like you can on YouTube.

You can slow the playback speed to 0.5x or 0.75x, or speed it up to 1.25x or 1.5x.  This means you can watch scenes in slow motion or burn through shows faster.

And Hollywood is already complaining about the way it’ll mess with their “art”.  “40-Year-Old Virgin” director Judd Apatow is especially angry.

No @Netflix no. Don’t make me have to call every director and show creator on Earth to fight you on this. Save me the time. I will win but it will take a ton of time. Don’t fuck with our timing. We give you nice things. Leave them as they were intended to be seen. https://t.co/xkprLM44oC

— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) October 28, 2019

“Leave them as they were intended . . . distributors don’t get to change the way the content is presented . . . if you want to go watch ‘The Godfather’ in 90 minutes then go invent your own personal machine . . . streamers should not be allowed.”

So far, the directors of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, “Ant-Man”, and “The Incredibles” are already backing him up . . . along with “Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul.

For what it’s worth, a Netflix spokesperson said it’s just a TEST.  Quote, “We’re always experimenting with new ways to help members use Netflix.  This test makes it possible to vary the speed at which people watch shows on their mobiles.

“As with any test, it may not become a permanent feature on Netflix.”

It’s worth noting that a lot of Netflix users are speaking out in FAVOR of adding variable playback speeds on social media.  Also, it sounds like the feature is only being tested on SOME users’ accounts.

My take…don’t DVDs/BluRays have this feature? It’s not new. Calm down.