The numbers have been released and Netflix nearly doubled the amount of new subscribers they were anticipating. Netflix added nearly 16 million paid subscribers in the first quarter compared to the 9 million they added this time last year. The stock closed in at a record high on Monday of $437.49 per share. Despite all the new streaming services that have been released this past year like Disney plus, peacock, and the upcoming release of HBO max, Netflix has been able secure its foothold in the land of streaming thanks to the optimal releasing of exclusive programs like tiger king, Ozarks, and money heist. Luckily for the subscribers Netflix also said they have over 200 projects in postproduction that are getting worked on by employees remotely at their houses. The second quarters is expected to unveil another flood of content to its platform.

Article: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-adds-more-than-15-million-new-subscribers-stock-rockets-higher-2020-04-21 Image: https://www.binged.com/news/netflix-stock-price-hits-all-time-high-as-more-people-than-ever-flock-to-netflix-amidst-coronavirus-quarantine/

Fear can make people do terrible things, like tracking people and infringing on citizens rights in the name of national security. Fear also makes people more susceptible to suggestion making it one of the most exploitable human emotions. China was the first to encounter the corona pandemic so china is also the model for how to deal with the virus.

China uses a variety of tactics to control its society of over a billion people these include the worlds largest Internet censorship program dubbed “The Great Firewall of China”, an AI centered facial recognition program, and a mandatory social credit system that can affect a persons way of life by limiting travel based on a poor social score. All this data is collected to assess a person’s loyalty to china and the novel coronavirus provides justification to expand on these controversial activities around the globe.

Countries like hungry are also using this crisis to expand surveillance, hungry passed a bill that allows their Prime Minister to rule by decree. 23 other countries have implemented “contact tracing apps” allowing countries to keep record of person’s social relationships. In Hong Kong people are forced to wear wristbands that alert authorities if a person leaves their place of quarantine. In all the world powers are noticing this is a chance to rein in control over their citizens and so far we have been compliant.

Article: https://dgrnewsservice.org/civilization/repression/rise-of-coronavirus-surveillance/

Image: https://theday.co.uk/stories/1984-at-70-still-relevant-says-orwell-s-son

Facebook is helping users find their love during quarantine by boosting their dating service. They plan to enable virtual dates so users can do video chats on Messenger without having to add one another. Essentially, users can video chat with strangers to try and find a connection.

Facebook is trying to allow users to go on virtual dates because in-person dates are not an option during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facebook said in a blog post that the purpose is to, “help people find meaningful relationships even when they can’t meet in person.”

The process is as soon as the virtual dating option is active, users can invite matches to video chat. If the recipient agrees, Facebook Messenger will connect them with each other. Facebook hopes their users can find love this quarantine.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/04/26/coronavirus-facebook-adding-virtual-dating-tool/3030311001/

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused change in a lot of industries, especially the movie industry. Films are being available at home, and may never return to the theaters.

Disney recently announced their movie “Onward,” will become available digitally for $19.99, then will soon be available on Disney+. Typically, a movie recently released in theaters would not be available to watch at home for some time. The closure of theaters is convincing studios to break what’s known as the “window,” which is the three-month period between when a movie hits theaters, and when it’s offered as an on demand purchase or rental, and then later on streaming devices. 

Universal announced on Monday that they are going to make movies available at home on the same day as their theater release, starting with “Trolls World Tour.” Universal starting this may cause other companies to follow in their footsteps.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/how-coronavirus-could-permanently-change-the-movie-industry.html

Twitter has published its latest findings on video engagement within user’s tweets. They partnered with GroupM to study how Twitter users are responding to videos posted in the app. They outlined how brands can maximize their videos on Twitter and generate more engagement.

Tip #1 is to keep it short and simple. They said, “When a message is conveyed in the first 3 seconds of a video ad, there’s a 13% increase in overall breakthrough metrics.” This means they advise you to include the key message of your video in the beginning, to make people want to continue watching.

Tip #2 is to include product and people. In addition to your key message in the beginning, Twitter says to open the video with a product in focus. They said, “When a video starts on a product, there’s a 24% increase in positive interest and 34% increase in click intent.”

Tip #3 is to use visual cues. They advise that brands position their logo in the video frame to make users even more aware. Twitter says, “We recommend a permanent placement in the upper-left or upper-right corner of the frame. When videos contain clear logo placement, there is a 30% increase in unaided brand recall. Also, consider using a dynamic logo to draw attention to your brand or product as it can lead to a 14% increase in unaided brand recall.”

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter-shares-key-video-best-practices-to-maximize-engagement/576220/

In an effort to test eCommerce, TikTok users can now send up to three gifts to friends free-of-charge. ‘Small Gestures’ enables users to send free, virtual gifts from a range of brand partners within the app.

TikTok explained, “By collaborating with our brand partners on this new program, we’re able to give users a platform to feel connected with their friends and family through the small gesture of sending a gift to someone who might need it most. And thanks to our generous partners, these ‘Small Gestures’ are offered free for all TikTok users to send gifts up to three separate times.”

Among the gifts available in the app are a two month premium membership for Skillshare, a 90-day subscription to Adobe Premiere Rush, 1-month free DashPass subscription, and a 90-day trial subscription for Pandora.

The small gestures are not physical products, instead, they are promotional offers that many of these businesses use to get more users.

Drew Brees is going to NBC once he is finished with the New Orleans Saints. The 41-year-old will be groomed as the potential replacement for Cris Collinsworth. Brees will serve as a Notre Dame game analyst and be on the Football Night in America studio show. NBC spokesman says, “Like all NFL fans, we look forward to watching Drew continue his Hall of Fame career this fall, and we’re confident his post-playing career will be just as successful.”

ESPN had been pursuing Brees in the hopes of moving him to its Monday Night Football booth, however ESPN declined a financial offer from Brees that could have landed him the position. ESPN felt it was too expensive and would rather proceed with a more immediate plan.

The player plans to play the 2020 season after signing a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Saints last month, so it will be some time until we see Drew on NBC.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29022736/drew-brees-join-nbc-football-lined-next-snf-analyst