HIGHLIGHTS
·
Netflix
users in India reportedly get WhatsApp support
·
Netflix
sends account messages, suggestions on what to watch via WhatsApp
·
Initially,
it is one-way communication by Netflix team
Netflix has
been spotted testing WhatsApp integration in India, as a means
to communicate with its subscribers. The latest development leverages the WhatsApp
Business platform that was debuted in September to monetise the
instant messaging service. Netflix and WhatsApp have both confirmed the testing
to Gadgets 360.
As seen in the above
screenshot, spotted earlier this week, WhatsApp integration on Netflix is
designed to send account messages and suggestions on what to watch. The new
opt-in feature requires Netflix users to have a WhatsApp account to enable
notifications. WhatsApp confirmed to Gadgets 360 that Netflix is one of its
test partners for its enterprise solution in India, while Netflix confirmed
WhatsApp integration in the country.
Netflix isn't the only
company that has partnered with WhatsApp to expand its reach in India. Movie
and event ticketing service BookMyShow is also among the first
batch of businesses to sign up for the closed pilot WhatsApp
Business programme. Some other Indian companies are also likely to move towards
the same avenue to switch from the traditional bulk SMS model and use WhatsApp
to reach their customers.
Since November last year, India has been the largest market for
WhatsApp. The Facebook-owned service has over 200 million
users in the country that are making it an extensive source of
communication. In April, WhatsApp affirmed that India will play a
"crucial role" in its business-centric developments.
It already tested its tools and models to bring businesses and organisations
closer to their audiences in the Indian market. Alongside services including
Netflix and BookMyShow, WhatsApp has so far been spotted testing its
business models with banks and airlines.
Source:
