Netflix is offering limited free access to a selection of its original movies and TV shows to users. The list includes Netflix original movies such as Murder Mystery, Baby Boss back in Business, Bird Box, and The Two Popes, and shows such as Stranger Things, Elite, When They See Us, Love is Blind, Our Planet, and Grace and Frankie.
The interesting fact to note here is that anyone, even the users who don’t have a Netflix account can watch the above-mentioned TV shows and movies for free. All they need to do is go to netflix.com/in/watch-free and hit play on the show or movie that they want to watch.
Netflix says that users can watch select Netflix Original movies and TV episodes online for free and without creating a Netflix account by using a computer or Android device. iOS browsers are not supported yet. A report by Gadgets 360 says that smart TVs, Fire TV stick, and incognito mode are not supported by this feature.
In a statement, Netflix said: “We’re looking at different marketing promotions to attract new members and give them a great Netflix experience.” The free access to select Netflix originals is available globally at netflix.com/watch-free. A Netflix help page for the same notes that only browsers on computers — Windows PCs or Macs — and Android devices are supported. Other platforms — iOS, smart TVs, or Fire Stick — and incognito mode are not supported. A 30-second skippable ad for Netflix plays before every title.
This isn’t the first time that Netflix has tried offering free access to its originals to entice users to sign up. In September last year, it offered the first episode of Bard of Blood in India and Élite season 2 in parts of Latin America for free. But this time around, it’s taken the select-free-access tactic globally, and with a lot more originals in play. The same “free” titles are available everywhere if you’re wondering. Netflix is also not the first streaming service to try this tactic, with YouTube doing the same for its originals — before it went to an all ad-driven model anyway.
For Netflix, it’s yet another way to potentially attract more subscribers, in addition to the tinkering it does with the plans on offer. In July, it tested an Rs. 349 per month “Mobile+” plan that made high-definition video more affordable. The plan was not rolled out widely. And earlier in the year, it offered the first month of a Netflix subscription at Rs. 5 for a limited time.
