It may be a little late but the popular video-streaming service Netflix has added Facebook integration to help customers find new content while getting recommendations from social-media friends
In a press-release sent out earlier this morning, Netflix confirmed that it has introduced a few new social features to its popular service. The changes go inro effect today, Netflix members can now link their Netflix account to Facebook, allowing Netflix members see what their friends have watched by adding new “Friends’ Favorites” and “Watched by your friends” rows to Netflix.
Members can also automatically, or manually share what they watch on Netflix with Facebook or just with other Netflix members. “There are few better ways to find a movie or TV series you’ll love than hearing about it from your friends,” said Tom Willerer , vice president of product innovation at Netflix. “Facebook already makes it easy for our international members to connect with friends over TV shows and movies and we’re thrilled to now bring this experience to our U.S. members.”
After the features go live today, Netflix members will see an option in Netflix to connect to Facebook and agree to share their activity. Once members agree to link their accounts, “rows with titles watched by friends will display on any device that streams from Netflix, provided these friends are also connected” states Netflix. By default, members share what they watched only on Netflix, if the customer chooses to opt into the ‘share to Facebook’ using the new “Social Settings” link on Netflix.com., more features will open-up.
The Facebook connection can be disabled at any time, giving members control over how and when they share. Netflix states that upcoming tests include, “capabilities to allow members to explicitly share their favorite titles on Facebook and discuss with their friends”. “People naturally talk about TV shows and movies and love to share their experiences,” said Willerer. “Through the Netflix/Facebook integration we want to let Netflix members express themselves on Facebook and provide a digital version of the proverbial water cooler.”
“Over the years, Netflix has deepened its Facebook integration to enable people to discover movies through friends and to share what they’re watching,” said Facebook Director of Platform Partnerships and Operations Justin Osofsky . “With their integration, Netflix has a new opportunity to reach the more than one billion people on Facebook. We look forward to Netflix continuing to integrate with Facebook and offering their community rich ways to discover movies and TV shows with their friends.”
Netflix has offered social features to its international members for more than a year. The introduction of Facebook integration in the U.S. became possible when Congress updated a video sharing law earlier this year.
