Netflix Launches Free Online Previews

By Geoff Duncan August 31, 2006

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.”

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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.

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Netflix kills Basic plan in U.S., U.K. as ads bring in more revenue

Netflix has pared down its subscription options, starting with accounts in the U.S. and U.K. As noted by U.K. site CordBusters, the $10-a-month Basic plan is no more, at least for new subscribers. That option got you the ability to watch ad-free on a single device, limited to 720p resolution.

The move isn't unprecedented — Netflix quietly did the same thing in Canada in June. On its pricing page, Netflix says that the change affects new and returning members. Current subscribers of the Basic plan can keep it "until you change plans or cancel your account."

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Great for a movie night, this HD projector down to $90 for Prime Day

The Smonet Movie Projector attached to a smartphone.

If you've been planning to buy a projector for your living room or bedroom, now's the perfect time with the discounts that you can enjoy from Amazon's Prime Day deals. Here's a tempting offer that you wouldn't want to miss -- the Smonet Movie Projector for a very affordable $90, which is less than half its original price of $220 following a $130 discount. We're not sure if this bargain will be available throughout the shopping holiday though, so if you're interested, you're going to have to push through with the purchase as soon as you can.

Why you should buy the Smonet Movie Projector
Make your movie nights at home feel like you're watching at the cinemas with the Smonet Movie Projector, which is capable of 1080p HD video output at 7,500 lumens. In comparison, some of the best projectors only go beyond 3,000 lumens, according to our guide on how to choose a home theater projector. You'll be getting extreme brightness with the Smonet Movie Projector so you won't be missing any detail on what you're watching, even in dark scenes. Additionally, it's capable of a projection display as large as 200 inches, with a recommended distance from your wall or projection screen of between 4.9 feet and 16.4 feet. You'll want to check out our guide on how to set up a home theater projector for help on the perfect arrangement.

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What is Paramount Plus? Price, plans, and what you can watch

Paramount Plus — the streaming service once known as CBS All Access — has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. It started as the streaming home for all things CBS. But executives quickly saw the writing on the well. Streaming was the future, and CBS was an America-only brand.

So in March 2021, a pivot occurred. CBS All Access became Paramount Plus. And soon thereafter, parent company ViacomCBS transitioned into Paramount Global, taking its streaming service worldwide, taking with it exclusive content that otherwise might have remained domestic. (Some still has different global distributors, but that's another problem for another time.)