I used to love Netflix and couldn’t imagine life without it. It was affordable and convenient, and I could have a host of movies and TV shows ready to watch at a moment’s notice. However, certain issues led to me using Netflix less and less, to the point that I ended up canceling my subscription—Netflix will need to fix these issues if it wants me to return.
1 Put Less Focus on Netflix Originals
If it wants to get me back as a customer, the first thing Netflix needs to do is put less focus on Netflix originals. Because as a middle-aged man, I want to revisit classic network television shows, and I don’t have enough time to invest in the countless shows Netflix is producing.
I understand why Netflix has invested and continues to invest so much money in original programming: the competitive edge that hosting original content that’s exclusive to the platform provides, especially when Disney+ has so many franchises to rely on. But still, I think there’s a need for more of a balance between original programming and classic television.
2 Put More Onus on Quality Over Quantity
It feels to me as though Netflix has, for the past few years, taken a bit of a quantity-over-quality approach to content. Which I understand to a point. The Netflix user base is diverse, with a range of tastes. So, the movie or TV show one person loves will not be liked by the next person.
However, rather than commissioning so many movies and TV shows to see what sticks, there should at least be some quality control exercised. One look at the library of content, both original programming and bought-in programming, shows some low-hanging fruit that cannot be considered good by any metric.
3 Cancel Fewer Shows Before Their Time
A complaint I know I’m not alone in having about Netflix is its ruthlessness when it comes to canceling shows. This is a knock-on effect of the above two issues, where Netflix produces lots of original content but does not necessarily focus on the best shows.
Netflix has canceled some genuinely brilliant shows after just one or two seasons. One season isn’t enough to know if something is popular, and two seasons means viewers get really invested in a show before Netflix announces that it has been canceled due to low viewer numbers.
And don’t even get me started on the cliffhangers these shows often end on. If a show is at risk of being canceled, at least wrap up all the loose ends before you pull the plug.
4 Remove the Regional Differences in Content
As a Brit living in the UK, the content I can access on Netflix is different from the content accessible in the US and beyond. And it’s annoying. I know I could install a VPN and fool Netflix into thinking I’m located elsewhere, but in an ideal world, I wouldn’t have to jump through hoops like this one.
The issue is one of licensing, with rights-holders often selling the rights to their shows to companies in different territories. It must be a nightmare for Netflix to deal with, but as a viewer, I find it very frustrating to have movies and shows that are out of reach for me but available to friends in other countries.
5 Stop Raising the Price So Often
Another common complaint leveled against Netflix in recent years is the way it has raised prices. It isn’t alone, with almost all the big streaming services (for both music and media) doing the same. I’m sure Netflix could justify the rises as necessary, but they’re also extremely annoying.
Like so many others, Netflix has introduced an ad-supported tier to help people who can’t afford the full asking price. But if I’m going to have to put up with ads before, during, and after everything I watch, then I don’t want to pay at all.
6 Improve the UI, Which Is Starting to Show Its Age
When Netflix first launched, its user interface was rightly praised for being simple and easy-to-understand. However, nearly two decades on, the large scrolling tiles are starting to show their age. Especially with so much content to sort through.
My biggest issue is how Netflix’s UI encourages endless scrolling while looking for something to watch, which is fine if you settle on something. But more often than not, I’ll spend half an hour looking for something to watch before abandoning the whole idea and playing video games instead.
7 Fix Persistent Technical Issues Affecting Playback
Netflix has always suffered from technical issues. So much so that we have previously dedicated whole articles to fixing Netflix error messages. However, the fact that some of these still exist many years later is inexcusable. Especially when they affect playback, getting in the way of my watching content.
This issue is especially bad when I try to watch Netflix on my smart TV. At this point, it sometimes feels like a potluck as to whether it will work or not. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve selected a show only to be treated to that spinning red circle for minutes on end.
8 Bring Back the Detailed Rating System
Netflix used to have a stellar ratings system based on stars. Users would rate everything they watched out of 5 stars, with everyone else able to see the average score. In 2016/2017, Netflix switched to a simpler thumbs-up and thumbs-down system with a binary choice. Then, in 2022, Netflix added a double thumbs-up to confuse things unnecessarily.
When Netflix switched from star ratings to a simpler thumbs-up or thumbs-down system, I thought it was a good idea. But now, with so much content available to watch, I want more guidance as to what is worth watching and what is worth skipping. Right now, I’m forced to check on IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes rather than rely on information from the app itself.
I miss Netflix purely because it, alongside Spotify, was my first love when it came to streaming services. So, I’m actually willing Netflix to make the changes needed to bring me back into the fold. Unfortunately, as it stands, with the above all being persistent issues, I feel more comfortable spending my money elsewhere.
