18 WebsiteCompass FAQs Dr. Webbie Answers your frequently asked questions QUESTION: Why do some streaming services release an entire season of a series at once while others release new episodes weekly? ANSWER: When the era of streaming began in 2013, Netflix disrupted traditional TV with its binge-dropped model. The entire season of House of Cards was released on the same day—a revolutionary strategy since audiences were accustomed to the weekly release of TV episodes. As the years went by and the number of streaming services grew, some of them opted to move away from the binge-dropped model and return to weekly releases. There are advantages and disadvantages to each model, for both subscribers and the streaming services. With a binge drop, subscribers have the option of watching an entire series in a single weekend, which keeps the plot fresh as they move from episode to episode. Younger viewers generally prefer binge drops. However, there’s a downside for the streaming services in terms of customer loyalty. People can subscribe to a service, pay for a month, binge-watch the new series, and then cancel their subscription. By contrast, a weekly release can keep subscribers engaged with a series for a longer period, which discourages cancellations of the streaming service and keeps subscribers paying the monthly rate. Older viewers tend to prefer a weekly release schedule, since they enjoy the familiar feeling of anticipating the next episode of their favorite show and making a weekly appointment to watch it. Surveys of American audiences suggest that streaming shows released weekly are now more popular than binge releases, and streaming services have taken note. Disney+ and Apple TV+ favor a weekly cadence, while Hulu and HBO Max have used a combination of the two strategies, releasing multiple episodes when a series premieres before shifting to weekly drops. Even Netflix, the binge-dropping pioneer, has altered its strategy and released some of its shows over the course of several weeks. Streaming services will no doubt continue to experiment in the hopes of finding a sweet spot for their release cadences. QUESTION: What are some signs that my computer may have a virus? ANSWER: While there are many computer viruses out there, virus warning signs tend to be similar across the board. Pay attention to these signs: • Slow computer performance (taking a long time to start up or open programs) • Problems shutting down or restarting • Missing files • Frequent system crashes and/or error messages • Unexpected pop-up windows • New applications (toolbars, etc.) that appear without you downloading them • Overworked hard drive (the fan makes sounds and seems to be whirring and working hard when you aren’t doing much) • Emails that send autonomously from your accounts • Browser lag or redirects • Malfunctioning antivirus programs or firewalls Viruses can be installed on your computer without your knowledge or consent—often when you unintentionally download infected files or click on an email attachment. If your computer is showing signs of a virus, you may need help from a computer repair professional.
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