Netflix Launches Free Online Previews

Netflix is now enabling members to view movie trailers and previews over the Web, with selections personalized based on their tastes and preferences.

Online DVD rental service Netflix today announced a new Web site service which enables subscribers to view movie trailers and previews of movies, selected for them based on their movies tastes and preferences. The previews run sequentially without interruption.

“Netflix ‘Previews’ is like every viewer in a movie theater seeing a different series of trailers based on their personal tastes,” said Neil Hunt, Netflix Chief Product Officer. “But it’s easier because you’re watching the previews on your own computer screen, wherever you want, on your own time.”

Members can add preview movies directly to their rental queues, and watch the previews as many times as they like: helpful for playing them for family members who might otherwise be hesitant about a selection. About 1,000 movie trailers are currently available, and Netflix expects to offer as many as 10,000 trailers by the end of 2006.