Netflix logo with some popcornImage source, Getty Images
Image caption, Netflix's growth is perhaps surprising as the cost-of-living crisis starts to bite

It takes you a long time to complete your favourite shows.

If you want to see the second part of the series, you have to wait a month or two.

Dicing up the hits is one of the tactics thatNetflix has been using recently to encourage users to stay with the company.

The company added 2.4 million households to its subscriber base in the third quarter, after two quarters of losses.

It's reversal of fortune is surprising given the cost of living crisis. One of the easiest ways to cut household budgets is to cancel streaming subscriptions.

The way it packages its shows is one of the ways it is trying to make the platform more attractive.

The binge model was the framework's previous incarnation. "At the time, it seemed completely mind-blowing, that an entire series of something would be available in one go, which at the time was the main selling point of the service."

One episode of a similar drama would be broadcast on the BBC, and then another would be aired on the iPlayer. Now, obviously, the BBC has adapted and do box-set drops, too, but what is amazing is that streamers likeNetflix, who lead the way in their models, are now adopting some of the models that linear TV depended on for so long.

Image caption, Netflix now splits some of its popular shows, including Ozark, to encourage subscribers to stick around longer

A lot of streaming services are doing this version. Apple's Ted Lasso, Amazon's The Boys, and Disney's Pam & Tommy are just a few of the shows that have tried out more staggered releases. The first two or three episodes of a season will be released together before moving to a weekly model.

Dropping one episode a week creates a buzz, gets viewers excited, and leaves them on a cliff-hanger. You can't sign up for a seven-day free trial if you want to binge the whole thing. You have to either sign up for the streaming service for two or three months, or wait until it's finished and try to keep your eyes open.

Making it more difficult to leave is one of the ways thatNetflix is attempting to do.

The introduction of a children's zone has made it more valuable for families to use.

Improvements are being made to the system so that it learns what viewers like so that it can give them tailored recommendations. Some subscribers believe that the company is trying to steer them towards its own original content.

"Algorithms have been the bread and butter of tech firms to keep you on their platforms," says Jamie Harris, technology and science reporter.

"For as long as I can remember, it has pushed notifications to users based on their viewing habits, but some have told me they're now getting recommendations for shows and movies they wouldn't normally watch."

Disney, Paramount and many others are launching their own streaming services and taking their movies with them once the rights end, so this is no surprise." Disney+ was the most popular streamer over the summer, and you can be sure they want their crown back.

The recommendations system is explained on the website of the streaming service. The time of day, the device being used, a user's previous viewing choices and the preferences of other members are some of the contributing factors.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Netflix spent a reported $200m (£178m) on the Ryan Gosling action thriller The Gray Man

The auto-play function, where the credits of a film you've just finished will only last a few seconds before a new programme automatically starts playing, is a technological advancement. The preview feature means a short clip of a film or TV show will auto-play when you hover over it, making it easier for users to pick something they're confident they will enjoy.

It is possible to be compatible with almost every platform, including games consoles, connected TVs, and smartphones. There are other streaming services that aren't always available.

No amount of technology would suffice to attract subscribers. It's the content that makes people come back.

Each streaming service needs to have content that makes them stand out in order to survive according to a senior TV analyst.

The last few years have been a golden age for scripted content due to fierce competition between platforms.

This is an area where the company has excelled. The service launches a big show almost every week. The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is one of the biggest hits of the year.

On the film side of the business, the company is trying to attract fans of both blockbusters and more niche art-house films in order to cater for as wide a range of tastes as possible.

The Power of the Dog, a film with 12 Oscar nominations, and The Gray Man, a film with a £200 million budget, have both been housed on the streaming service.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Ease of use, children's zones, tailored recommendations and auto-play previews are among the ways streamers like Netflix try to make their interface appealing

The company is looking for new ways to grow. The company is branching out, both into the world of gaming and possibly live programming.

In the last few months,Netflix has been making noises about cracking down on password sharing.

The higher-priced tiers were introduced to make it easier to share passwords. Efforts to reduce password sharing with regular subscriptions have had limited success during trials.

The ad-supported tiers will be launched in November. Users could be forced to watch un-skippable adverts before the programme starts. The legacy of being an ad-free experience could affect the perception of the service.

Ad-supported models are yet to be launched in most countries, so they won't have much impact on their Q3 subscriber numbers.

Aquilina says that offering people the option of a cheaper service with adverts opens up some room for growth.

He says there will be more potential for the streamer to grow. There are other territories in which the product is still relatively new. The US subscriber base has shrunk for the last two quarters, but it has grown in other parts of the world.

The analysts will be watching to see if the multi-pronged growth strategy will work in the quarters to come.

  • Television
  • Streaming
  • Netflix