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HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

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Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#151

Post by Larrikin »

adjkant wrote: post #146
Hamuko wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah but how many of them are good? I can probably count the amount of Netflix original movies that I've heard discussed with one hand. And when it comes to stuff like Bird Box, the talk doesn't really even go with the quality.

> I can probably count the amount of Netflix original movies that I've heard discussed with one hand. This directly contradicts my experience. I just checked my shows tracker and I have watched 32 shows (no movies included) that I would consider to be of some entertainment value and/or quality. I've discussed at least half of those with people, if not closer to 75%. I'd be happy to drop some recommendations if you gi…

They make good TV shows, they rarely make good movies

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#152

Post by Auracle »

smabie wrote: post #135
Red_Leaves_Flyy wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought it was that people were using the stars 'wrongly' according to Netflix. How one can use a star rating system wrongly is beyond me.

I'm guessing the distribution of reviews was bimodel. Ideally, people should use a 5-star system in a way that it provides a normal distribution. Most content should fall between 2 or 3 stars. But it doesn't actually work that way, 4 star uber drivers get kicked off the platform, 2 star Amazon products suck, 2-3 star movies suck. 4-star movies are okay. As such, I think we can conclude that people don't actually know…

I wonder if letter grades would be the way to go in relevant countries. Most people have internalized what a “C” means pretty well, even taking grade inflation in to account. Hell, that’s the whole reason 10 star rating systems are bad, as people treat 7 like it should be average and 5 is a failure.

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#153

Post by MaxBarraclough »

dgellow wrote: post #120
lonelappde wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Disney+ with Hulu, Netflix, HBO, Apple+, Amazon Prime, Starz, adds up if you want full coverage.

Can you even watch that much content? I would expect that you only keep 1-3 subscriptions at the same time, and juggle between the different platforms when you want to watch some exclusive content. Like, Netflix for 1-2 month to watch some exclusives, then you cancel until the next time something seems interesting enough.

Somewhat related: it's curious that Netflix are so coy about their catalogue. Without signing in, they refuse to show what they offer in your region. You have to make do with a third-party listing site like JustWatch.com

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#154

Post by rospaya »

Red_Leaves_Flyy wrote: post #103
tourist_on_road wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read somewhere they realized that just giving a thumbs up or down on a title is much reliable than having star recommendation system

I thought it was that people were using the stars 'wrongly' according to Netflix. How one can use a star rating system wrongly is beyond me.

I regularly see people having trouble with doors or elevators, so it wouldn't surprise me.

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#155

Post by jtreminio »

smabie wrote: post #138
jtreminio wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ have also realized that adding more language tracks to their content is a _must_. My family's viewership of Amazon Prime Video is severely limited because they refuse to add Spanish audio to their content. They have a few Spanish-language shows and movies but it's slim pickings. HBO has no excuse on this, imho. I _know_ they have Spanish audio for every single one of their shows and mo…

Why not just use subtitles? I can't stand dubbed live action content (anime is a little better though), so I stick with subs exclusively.

I enjoy subtitles, my wife doesn't. I don't think I would enjoy subtitles when we're late-night binging until 2 or 3am.

Regardless, do Netflix, Apple and Disney have better engineers than HBO (and Amazon)? Do the latter two not care about offering Spanish (or non-English)? Do they have some contractual obligations to not offer the options online?

Turns out I don't care what the reason is. They don't offer extra language options, so I don't subscribe.

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#156

Post by adjkant »

Larrikin wrote: post #151
adjkant wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I can probably count the amount of Netflix original movies that I've heard discussed with one hand. This directly contradicts my experience. I just checked my shows tracker and I have watched 32 shows (no movies included) that I would consider to be of some entertainment value and/or quality. I've discussed at least half of those with people, if not closer to 75%. I'd be happy to drop some recommendations if you gi…

They make good TV shows, they rarely make good movies

I can agree with that, but why is the movie specification relevant here when HBO is also primarily known for their TV shows?

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#157

Post by rogerkirkness »

anyyw wrote: post #137
rogerkirkness wrote: post #128

Are there any examples to counter argue the vast superiority of computational curation? Walmart (active merchandising) > Amazon (passive SEO) Mutual funds (active picking) > ETFs (passive baskets) It seems like a one directional shift. Every time I see human curation, it just ends up being long term worse.

Might not be an apples to apples comparison, but Costco vs Amazon is the example I tend to use for curation vs SEO. The reason it might not be the best comparison is that Costco tends to be for bulk items while Amazon tends to be for one off purchases, but anecdotally I know of many who consider Costco’s experience to be the better of the two.

I guess my argument is more does Costco have humans merchandise? I feel like the fact that they just put skids of overstock out into the isles randomly is more passive than the fancy facing work that most retailers do. Likewise, does Costco carry SKUs because they feel right, or because of some kind of clinical calculation they did about most popular CPG?

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#158

Post by dbbk »

Red_Leaves_Flyy wrote: post #103
tourist_on_road wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read somewhere they realized that just giving a thumbs up or down on a title is much reliable than having star recommendation system

I thought it was that people were using the stars 'wrongly' according to Netflix. How one can use a star rating system wrongly is beyond me.

I think it's quite obvious that the vast majority of selections would have been 1 or 5 stars.

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#159

Post by paul7986 »

scarface74 wrote: post #133
paul7986 wrote: post #126

I subscribed to HBO Max for $11 and just see they don't have a Roku app (the most popular streaming platform)??

Blame Roku’s “walled garden”. They won’t let an app be on their service without making a deal that gives them a cut. https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/why-hbo-max-not-availa... As much as people complain about Apple’s 30% cut, Apple doesn’t get a cut of third party content apps if a user subscribes on the providers website. No, Apple doesn’t force content app makers to offer payment through Apple - see Netflix, S…

I just canceled HBO Max ... there's not much there and I cant watch it on my Roku TVs.

Compare Disney Plus's launch with any streaming product ATT launches is day and night. One is all about the consumer experience while the other is all about penny pinching and tons of red tape/too many cooks in the kitchen. They already destroyed Direct TV with their stupidity next is HBO.

Re: HBO Max taking on Netflix with human curation instead of relying on algorithms

#160

Post by baspey »

ikeboy wrote: post #72

Is there any halfway decent third party recommendation system? I've got a list of everything I've watched in the last year or so since I've started tracking it, plus older TV shows I've seen in full. I'd be interested in manually inputting that with ratings into some system where it can recommend what else I'd like given everyone else's data.

Please try my app (Mac/PC) Coollector Movie Database https://www.coollector.com/ I've spent years refining the recommendation system. It beats everything I know.
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