IS Netflix missing your favourite TV show or movie? Just ask for it.
The telly streaming giant has a little-known form that lets you request exactly three titles.
So if you want Netflix to add a specific season of a show or that long-forgotten movie, you can speak to the team behind the app.
The feature is called Request TV Shows or Movies, and it’s on a website rather than in the app.
You can find it here, and it only takes a few seconds to fill in.
Then Netflix will consider your request and decide if it wants to host the content that you’re craving.
You won’t receive a reply, but hopefully you’ll see your TV show or movie turn up in the near future.
Netflix says: “If you’ve already submitted a request, you can sit back and relax – we’ve received your feedback.
“We can’t respond to individual requests, but you can keep up on new titles coming to Netflix by following us on social media and signing up for our ‘Now on Netflix’ emails.”
The bad news is that there’s no guarantee that your request will be fulfilled.
Streaming libraries can be very complicated: for instance, another app might have exclusive rights to a specific show or movie.
Netflix explains: “Netflix licenses TV shows and movies from studios around the world.
“Though we strive to keep the titles you want to watch, some titles do leave Netflix because of licensing agreements.”
And if you’re trying to get an Apple or Amazon original series on Netflix, that’s unlikely to be fulfilled either.
You’re probably going to have better luck asking for something back that was previously on Netflix – or something very old that might be cheaply acquired.
VANISHING ACT
Another important Netflix habit is making sure you watch TV shows and movies before they leave.
Once it’s gone, there’s no guarantee that it will ever come back.
Thankfully it’s very easy to find content on Netflix that’s about to vanish.
Content that is set to disappear will show a bright red “leaving soon” banner.
Go into Netflix and search for “leaving soon” to find plenty of content badged up this way.
NETFLIX’S SECRET CLUB
Did you know that Netflix also has a secret club for special viewers?
Yes, really – it’s called the Netflix Preview Club.
It’s a free upgrade to your membership that gives you early access to upcoming content.
The catch is that it’s invite-only, and the process to bagging one of the prized emails is very mysterious.
You’ll be pre-selected based on two criteria:
- Your viewing behaviour
- How long you’ve been a Netflix member
And that’s all we really know for sure.
Once you’re in, you’ll get to see content before it’s released to the general public.
The idea is that with the feedback you provide, content creators can go away and make improvements before setting them live on Netflix proper.
“Each screening involves watching a movie or an episode of a TV show, followed by a 10 to 20-minute survey,” Netflix explains.
“Depending on the TV show or movie runtime, it could take anywhere from 40 minutes to about three and a half hours.”
Netflix says that you might notice:
- Unfinished sound or visual effects
- Green screens or stunt cables
- No music in some scenes
- Missing subtitles
If you receive an email to join, it will only come from one of the following two addresses:
- noreply@netflixpreviewclub.com
- noreply@members.netflix.com
If a Netflix invitation in your inbox doesn’t come from those email addresses then you’re being scammed.
You might also see a “Last day to watch on Netflix” on the Details page of a TV show or movie – as well as at the top of the screen for a few seconds when it starts playing.
That’ll give you a heads-up that there’s a specific date that you need to have viewed it by.
