Netflix Is Now Testing Pre- and Post-Roll Ads

Netflix is testing ads before and after videos on select groups of users.

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Is nothing sacred anymore? Netflix has announced that they're testing pre- and post-roll ads on small, select groups of online streaming users. 

Motherboard reports that these test ads will run before and after videos, and that for now, the ads will be exclusively for Netflix's original content—shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards—much like HBO's model of advertising. 

The internet naturally freaked out about ads invading their binge-watching time, but Netflix has since clarified that they are not experimenting with third-party ads, and that just because ads are being tested on select consumer markets does not mean they will roll out to all users anytime soon (or at all).

A Netflix spokesperson told Gizmodo this:

“We are not planning to test or implement third-party advertising on the Netflix service. For some time, we’ve teased Netflix originals with short trailers after a member finishes watching a show. Some members in a limited test now are seeing teases before a show begins. We test hundreds of potential improvements to the service every year. Many never extend beyond that,” a spokesperson told Gizmodo.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings also acknowledged the controversy with a Facebook post, saying, "No advertising coming onto Netflix. Period. Just adding relevant cool trailers for other Netflix content you are likely to love."

Oh, that wasn't so bad. Okay, carry on, everyone—nothing to see here.

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