Netflix quietly updates Apple TV channel with 'Post-Play' feature for TV shows
Television fans can now binge on their favorite shows more efficiently as streaming movie behemoth Netflix has brought its popular "Post-Play" feature, which automatically plays the next episode of a television series after a short delay, to the Apple TV.
A popular feature in the company's web client and iPad app, Post-Play has been sorely missed on Apple's set-top streamer and the change will be welcomed by heavy Netflix users. AppleInsider was first tipped to the change by reader Richard.
Post-Play gives users a brief countdown -- generally 10 seconds -- once a television show's credits start rolling, then automatically plays the next episode of the series. On the Apple TV, the currently-playing episode is shrunk and moved to the side, with the next episode queued up to the right.
Users have the option to wait for the timer to run out, play the next episode immediately, or return to the episode listing for that series. Post-Play can also be disabled completely by visiting the Account section of the Netflix website.
Though AppleInsider was able to independently confirm Post-Play's appearance on multiple Apple TV units, it is possible that the feature is not ready for primetime as Netflix has yet to update its Post-Play compatibility listing. Netflix, like Facebook, is famous for rolling out small tests to its user base.
A popular feature in the company's web client and iPad app, Post-Play has been sorely missed on Apple's set-top streamer and the change will be welcomed by heavy Netflix users. AppleInsider was first tipped to the change by reader Richard.
Post-Play gives users a brief countdown -- generally 10 seconds -- once a television show's credits start rolling, then automatically plays the next episode of the series. On the Apple TV, the currently-playing episode is shrunk and moved to the side, with the next episode queued up to the right.
Users have the option to wait for the timer to run out, play the next episode immediately, or return to the episode listing for that series. Post-Play can also be disabled completely by visiting the Account section of the Netflix website.
Though AppleInsider was able to independently confirm Post-Play's appearance on multiple Apple TV units, it is possible that the feature is not ready for primetime as Netflix has yet to update its Post-Play compatibility listing. Netflix, like Facebook, is famous for rolling out small tests to its user base.
Comments
My wife almost watched every episode of Orange is Black, or whatever the show is called, on a iPad because of this I am sure!
'Orange is the new Black' is a pretty good show. Netflix releases the entire season all at once, so it's easy to watch episode after episode.
I wonder if binge-watching and app engagement has caused a decline in health across the entire population. Maybe it actually increased health for some surprising reason. However, according to Apple it is trying to balance out the negative health effects from these activities with more health-friendly products.
Looks like health improvement via binge watching is not likely...
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/binge-watching-tv-may-harm-health/
Hell to the yes! If I have to watch that 2 minute opener to Game Of Thrones one more time I will be most vexed.
While it is annoying, the opener also changes quite frequently. Maybe you don't care, but once new places are introduced on the show, they appear on the credits map. I used to skip every time until I found that out.
Television has caused a decline in health across the entire population.
Thank goodness. To me, this is the most useless feature I've ever encountered. I'm surprised to see so many comments showing excitement for this feature - but hey - whatever floats your boat I guess.
In any case, the original implementation of this feature on the iPad and iPhone apps caused me no end of frustration. It was impossible to disable, and I mostly watched TV episodes in bed to help me fall asleep. Often I was asleep before the first episode ended, yet the app insisted on playing the next 2 or 3 episodes automatically. This cost me money since my cable provider does not offer an unlimited plan and the needless streaming/playing of 2-3 hours of extra content every night pushed me over my limit regularly. It also made it difficult to keep track of what episode I really was supposed to be watching next since it was impossible to tell how many episodes I had missed while sleeping.
If some people like this feature, I have no problem whatsoever with Netflix offering it - but it was ridiculously stupid of them to assume that *everybody* would want it *all the time* and not provide a way to turn it off. Personally, I'm more than okay with picking up the remote and pressing play if I want to watch the next episode. I think this "feature" ended up costing me about $240 in overage fees over the 4 months I couldn't turn it off (before I finally switched to watching Hulu+ before bed instead of NetFlix.)
Totally agree. Thanks for highlighting how to shut it off.
Does Apple do this for TV shows bought through iTunes?
I guess watching nothing would be the best for your health. But then, it wouldn't be good for Apple's welfare. Not only would they lose income from tv shows, but they would also not be able to sell us a fitness-oriented iTime, as you would be too fit to need it.
I am glad there is a way to turn this off. It is too hard, with the little button on the Apple TV remote, to stop the next episode before it starts. It's a nuisance — at least to me.