Signals

Global – Streaming giant Netflix is at the centre of a debate over whether its content is being tailored to accommodate second-screen viewers – audiences who watch while scrolling on their phones.  

According to The Guardian, Netflix may be tailoring some of its content to accommodate this behaviour by simplifying narratives and making dialogue more explicit, ensuring that viewers who are only partially attentive can still follow along. This approach has raised concerns about the potential decline in storytelling quality. But several writers who have worked with Netflix on shows such as Giri/Haji and Black Doves refute the notion that the platform mandates such simplification and told the newspaper that Netflix offers a diverse range of content catering for both casual and fully engaged viewers.

This debate highlights a larger cultural shift in how people consume content, shaped by the rise of second-screen habits and reduced attention spans. As casual viewing becomes increasingly dominant, the question remains: can streaming platforms balance artistic integrity with the demands of a distracted, multi-tasking audience with a limited attention span? 

Explore our Pop Culture & Media section and watch out for our upcoming report, Streaming Futures, in which we analyse the future of television in the age of distraction and how streaming services are competing for audiences’ valuable attention.