Too much choice: This is why Netflix’s oversupply affects the mind



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Netflix users are sometimes overwhelmed by the huge selection of movies and series. Instead of relaxing, this can cause stress and even be harmful to your health.

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Netflix users spend hours searching for the right movies and series.

Netflix users spend hours searching for the right movies and series.

images imago / AAP

Many are overwhelmed by the oversupply.

Many are overwhelmed by the oversupply.

The result after hours of research:

The result after hours of research: “I turned off Netflix and didn’t see anything,” says reader M reporter. *

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  • The wide range of products on Netflix & Co. overwhelms users.

  • Instead of relaxing with a good movie, they spend hours searching for content.

  • The psychologist explains what helps against it.

Pay once a month and watch unlimited movies – that’s Netflix & Co.’s flat rate. The large selection sounds tempting, but many users have problems. You rummage through the offer, can’t find what you’re looking for, and stop looking frustrated. The cozy movie night is over.

“I’m totally overwhelmed by Netflix,” says reader E reporter. * “I decide to watch something, get suggestions for other movies to add to my list, and after an hour the list is full and I haven’t seen anything and shut down Netflix . It’s just too much. “

“Get killed by the selection”

Even the M * player feels overwhelmed: “I’m almost overwhelmed by the selection.” There are a lot of great series, but it’s nearly impossible for her to keep up with the wide range and watch all the great shows.

Journalist reader M. is also annoyed by the Netflix offer. What bothers him the most is the quality of the content. He rummaged through undemanding series and movies for minutes in Netflix’s media library. It also doesn’t help that Disney has pulled huge amounts of content from Netflix to exclusively provide its own streaming service.

Netflix’s oversupply creates stress

The problem is common. Participants in a survey on media use in Britain judged: Netflix’s selection is too wide and overwhelming, which is why they have a hard time finding something that appeals to them.

This is dangerous, says psychologist Thomas Spielmann: “Excessive demands trigger stress and can be harmful to health.” Netflix has now reacted to the problem and is launching its own test TV channel (see box).

In France, Netflix is ​​testing Netflix Direct for the first time so that users no longer have to make a decision: subscribers can watch linear television via browser showing French, European and international programs and films 24 hours a day. day. Netflix justified the start of the channel with the fact that traditional television in France is still very popular with people who just want to sit back and relax without having to choose a program.

Too much information – wrong choice

But why isn’t the large selection an advantage? “With a large selection, it is harder to find the best decision,” says Claude Messner, professor of consumer behavior at the University of Bern, about 20 minutes away.

Everyone knows about the phenomenon every few years when buying a mobile phone. “You only deal with the product when you buy it and then you have too much information that you can’t process and make the wrong choice,” says Messner.

Another problem is that the greater the selection, the greater the expectation of finding something very good. “If this expectation is not met, Netflix users will be frustrated,” Messner said. The psychologist advises users to search more specifically for content, such as by genres.

* Names known to editors



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