These roles center on guiding the vision, strategy, and roadmap for various products within the streaming entertainment giant. Individuals in these positions are responsible for understanding user needs, market trends, and competitive landscapes to define and deliver exceptional product experiences. As an example, a product manager might oversee the development of new features within the user interface or manage the evolution of the content recommendation algorithms.
The significance of these positions lies in their direct impact on user engagement, subscriber growth, and overall business success. Historically, these roles have grown in importance as the company has transitioned from a DVD rental service to a global streaming platform. The ability to effectively manage and innovate the product offerings is critical for maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Benefits include the opportunity to shape the future of entertainment consumption for millions of users worldwide.
The following sections will delve into the specific responsibilities, required skills, and career paths associated with product management positions at this prominent technology and entertainment company. Topics will include the scope of projects handled, required soft skills and hard skills, and insight of typical projects they handle.
1. Product Vision
Product vision forms the cornerstone of effective product management at the streaming entertainment provider. It is the guiding north star that directs development efforts, ensuring all teams are aligned towards a singular, overarching goal. The absence of a clear product vision can result in fragmented development, inconsistent user experiences, and ultimately, a failure to meet business objectives. At the company, this vision translates into defining how the product will evolve to meet future market demands and user expectations. For example, the product vision might focus on personalized recommendations that increase user retention or on improving the streaming quality across different devices.
The product vision’s importance manifests in several ways. It informs the prioritization of features, shapes the user experience, and guides investment decisions. The entertainment giant’s previous shift from DVD rentals to streaming demonstrates the ability to execute on a powerful product vision. Similarly, the ongoing development of interactive content and mobile gaming integrates into the overall product vision of expanding beyond traditional viewing experiences. These strategies require strong leadership and a clear understanding of the competitive landscape.
Therefore, a successful product manager must possess the ability to articulate a compelling and achievable product vision, one that resonates with both users and internal stakeholders. This skill is essential for navigating the complexities of the media streaming market, maintaining user engagement, and ensuring the continued success of the business. The product vision, thus, acts as a central piece in the duties of the manager.
2. Strategic Planning
Strategic planning constitutes a critical element within the responsibilities associated with the product management positions at the prominent streaming service. It involves developing and executing comprehensive plans to achieve business objectives. Effective strategic planning ensures product initiatives align with the overarching company strategy, maximizing their impact on user engagement, subscriber growth, and revenue generation.
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Market Analysis and Competitive Positioning
Product managers are expected to conduct thorough market analyses to identify opportunities and threats. This involves understanding emerging trends in the streaming industry, analyzing competitor strategies, and assessing the company’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, a product manager might analyze the growth of interactive content and determine whether and how the platform should invest in that area. This analysis informs strategic decisions related to product differentiation and competitive positioning.
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Resource Allocation and Prioritization
Strategic planning also entails the allocation of resources to various product initiatives. Product managers must prioritize projects based on their potential impact, feasibility, and alignment with the company’s strategic goals. They will have to make decisions such as whether to invest in personalization algorithms, mobile gaming, or improving streaming quality in developing countries. This prioritization ensures resources are deployed effectively, optimizing the return on investment and ensuring the most critical projects receive adequate attention.
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Long-Term Roadmap Development
An integral component of strategic planning is the creation and maintenance of a long-term product roadmap. This roadmap outlines the product’s evolution over time, detailing planned features, enhancements, and strategic initiatives. It serves as a guide for development teams, providing a clear vision of the product’s future direction. For instance, the roadmap might outline the integration of virtual reality or augmented reality experiences or the expansion into new content formats.
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Performance Monitoring and Adaptation
Strategic planning is not a static process; it requires ongoing monitoring and adaptation. Product managers must track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as subscriber growth, user engagement, and revenue, to assess the effectiveness of their strategies. Based on this data, they make adjustments to their plans to optimize performance and respond to changing market conditions. For example, if data indicates that a particular feature is underperforming, a product manager might re-evaluate its design or prioritize other initiatives.
These facets of strategic planning collectively contribute to the effectiveness of product management positions. By conducting thorough market analyses, prioritizing resources, developing long-term roadmaps, and monitoring performance, product managers drive the development and enhancement of the streaming platform. This strategic approach ensures it remains competitive, meets user needs, and achieves its business objectives.
3. User Understanding
User understanding forms a foundational pillar for product management roles within the prominent streaming service. It emphasizes the critical need to deeply comprehend user behaviors, preferences, and pain points, and how these insights translate into impactful product decisions. Without a robust understanding of its user base, the company risks developing features and strategies that fail to resonate, leading to decreased engagement and potential subscriber loss. This comprehension is not a passive activity; it requires active research, analysis, and empathy.
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Data-Driven Insights
Product managers leverage extensive data analytics to gain insights into user behavior. This involves examining metrics such as viewing habits, search queries, and feature usage to identify patterns and trends. For example, analyzing user engagement with specific content genres can inform decisions on future content acquisition or production. This data-driven approach allows product managers to move beyond assumptions and make informed decisions based on actual user behavior. These data-driven insights can be acquired from dashboard, analytics, and user behavior patterns.
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Qualitative Research
While data provides valuable quantitative insights, qualitative research offers a deeper understanding of user motivations and frustrations. This includes conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather feedback on product features and user experience. For example, a product manager might conduct interviews with users to understand their frustrations with the current recommendation system. This qualitative research provides valuable context that complements data analysis, resulting in a more holistic understanding of user needs. Some companies outsource User Interface User eXperience (UI/UX) to get insights.
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Personalization and Customization
User understanding informs the development of personalized experiences tailored to individual preferences. The streaming service leverages user data to deliver personalized recommendations, content suggestions, and user interface customization options. For example, users receive content recommendations based on their viewing history, genre preferences, and ratings. This personalization enhances user engagement and satisfaction, making them more likely to remain subscribers. The system provides content based on the persona and personal content history.
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Feedback Integration and Iteration
User understanding is an ongoing process that requires continuous feedback integration and iterative product development. Product managers actively solicit feedback from users through various channels, such as customer support interactions, social media, and feedback forms. This feedback informs product improvements and new feature development. For example, user feedback on a new feature might lead to design modifications or feature enhancements. This iterative approach ensures the product continually evolves to meet user needs and expectations. Feedback systems are crucial as data points to build the user experience.
These facets of user understanding are interconnected and contribute to the effectiveness of product management positions at the entertainment service. By leveraging data-driven insights, conducting qualitative research, developing personalized experiences, and integrating feedback, product managers ensure the platform remains user-centric and effectively meets the evolving needs of its diverse user base. This commitment to user understanding is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and fostering long-term subscriber loyalty.
4. Data Analysis
Data analysis is inextricably linked to product management positions at the streaming service, serving as the bedrock for informed decision-making and strategic product development. Individuals in these roles leverage data to understand user behavior, evaluate product performance, and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
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A/B Testing and Experimentation
Product managers utilize A/B testing to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of new features, design changes, or content recommendations. By comparing user responses to different versions of a product or feature, they gain quantitative evidence to support or reject hypotheses. For example, a product manager might A/B test two different algorithms for content recommendations to determine which one drives higher user engagement, measured by metrics such as viewing time and completion rates. These experiments allow for data-driven product optimization and continuous improvement. Product iteration has become easier because of data points.
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User Segmentation and Cohort Analysis
Data analysis enables product managers to segment users into distinct cohorts based on demographic characteristics, viewing habits, or engagement patterns. Cohort analysis allows for the examination of how different user groups interact with the product over time. For example, a product manager might compare the retention rates of users who joined the platform through different marketing campaigns. This analysis helps understand the specific needs and behaviors of different user segments, allowing for the development of targeted features and personalized experiences. Focus groups are less commonly used.
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Performance Monitoring and KPI Tracking
Product managers continuously monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the health and performance of the product. These KPIs include metrics such as subscriber growth, user engagement, churn rate, and revenue per user. Data analysis tools enable product managers to track these KPIs over time, identify trends, and detect anomalies. For example, a product manager might monitor the churn rate to identify potential issues with user satisfaction or product value. Proactive performance monitoring allows product managers to address problems quickly and make data-driven decisions to improve product performance. Without monitoring, the project will fail.
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Market Trend Analysis and Competitive Intelligence
Data analysis extends beyond internal product data to include market trend analysis and competitive intelligence. Product managers analyze market data to identify emerging trends in the streaming industry, such as the growth of mobile gaming or the increasing demand for interactive content. They also analyze competitor data to understand their strategies, strengths, and weaknesses. For example, a product manager might analyze the content libraries and pricing models of competing streaming services. This analysis informs strategic decisions related to product differentiation and competitive positioning. Staying relevant is the most important factor.
These facets of data analysis are integral to the success of product management roles at the streaming service. By leveraging A/B testing, user segmentation, performance monitoring, and market trend analysis, product managers make informed decisions that drive product innovation, improve user engagement, and contribute to the company’s overall business objectives. The ability to interpret data, extract actionable insights, and translate them into product strategies is a crucial skill for product managers seeking to excel in this dynamic industry.
5. Market Research
Market research is an indispensable element within the spectrum of responsibilities for product management positions. The streaming company operates in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, necessitating a deep understanding of market trends, user preferences, and competitor activities. Effective market research provides product managers with the data and insights required to make informed strategic decisions, drive product innovation, and maintain a competitive edge. The lack of market research has historically caused project failures. Consider the failed HD-DVD launch in the early 2000s, where insufficient market research led to a misjudgment of consumer demand and technological preferences. Conversely, the companys successful transition to streaming was predicated on thorough market research indicating a shift in consumer behavior away from physical media.
Specifically, these professionals utilize market research to identify emerging trends in content consumption, assess the viability of new product features, and evaluate the potential for expansion into new markets. A product manager might, for instance, conduct market research to determine the demand for interactive content or the acceptance of mobile gaming on the platform. This research could involve analyzing consumer surveys, monitoring social media trends, and examining the performance of similar products offered by competitors. The insights gleaned from this research directly inform product roadmaps, feature prioritization, and resource allocation, ensuring that development efforts are aligned with actual market demand and user expectations. The launch of the service in a new international market, for example, requires extensive market research to understand local content preferences, broadband infrastructure capabilities, and competitive pricing strategies.
In summary, market research is not merely a supporting function but rather a core competency for product managers. It is the compass that guides strategic decision-making, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the entertainment market and steer product development towards successful outcomes. Challenges in market research may arise from incomplete data or rapidly changing consumer preferences. However, a proactive and data-driven approach, coupled with a deep understanding of the media landscape, is essential for mitigating these challenges and ensuring the company continues to thrive in the dynamic world of streaming entertainment.
6. A/B Testing
A/B testing is a fundamental component of decision-making within product management roles at the streaming entertainment service. Its employment stems from the need for data-backed validation of product changes. This method, where two versions of a feature or experience are presented to different user segments, is critical for assessing the impact of alterations on user behavior. Product managers utilize A/B testing to determine the effect of modifications to the user interface, content recommendation algorithms, or pricing models. This practice is crucial because subjective opinions or intuition alone cannot reliably predict user response to changes, and ineffective changes can negatively impact key metrics such as user engagement and retention.
The practical application of A/B testing within these roles is exemplified by scenarios such as evaluating different artwork for a film or series. A product manager might oversee an A/B test where two different thumbnails are presented to users. Data collected on click-through rates and viewing time would then be analyzed to determine which thumbnail is more effective at attracting viewers. Another example involves testing variations of the user interface on different devices. A/B testing allows for the optimization of the experience across various platforms, ensuring seamless navigation and engagement. Failure to employ A/B testing can result in the deployment of suboptimal features, which may lead to reduced user satisfaction and increased churn.
In conclusion, A/B testing provides a systematic approach to product optimization. Its importance to product management positions lies in its ability to mitigate the risks associated with launching untested changes. The continuous application of A/B testing methodologies allows product managers to make data-driven decisions, fostering a culture of experimentation and improvement that directly contributes to the long-term success of the streaming platform. Challenges in A/B testing can arise from issues such as insufficient sample sizes or poorly defined hypotheses, but a well-designed testing framework remains an indispensable tool for this position.
7. Roadmap Execution
Roadmap execution forms a core responsibility within the scope of product management roles at the streaming service. The product roadmap, a strategic document outlining the vision, priorities, and timelines for product development, serves as a blueprint for action. Successful roadmap execution directly impacts the delivery of new features, enhancements, and overall product improvements, which in turn influences user engagement, subscriber growth, and revenue generation. A lack of effective execution can lead to missed deadlines, budget overruns, and ultimately, a failure to achieve strategic objectives. For example, a delay in launching a highly anticipated feature might result in user dissatisfaction and competitive disadvantage. The product manager’s ability to translate the roadmap into actionable tasks and oversee their timely completion is therefore critical to the success of these roles.
The practical application of roadmap execution includes several key elements. First, it requires meticulous planning, involving the breakdown of large initiatives into smaller, manageable tasks, and the assignment of resources to each task. Second, it demands constant monitoring of progress, identification of potential roadblocks, and proactive problem-solving. Third, it necessitates effective communication with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, marketing, and customer support, to ensure alignment and coordination. An example of successful roadmap execution would be the timely launch of a new content recommendation algorithm. This would involve coordinating efforts across data science, engineering, and user interface teams to ensure the algorithm is developed, tested, and deployed effectively. A failure at any stage could jeopardize the launch and impact user experience.
In summary, roadmap execution is not merely a tactical activity but a strategic imperative for product managers. It directly translates the product vision into tangible outcomes, driving the evolution of the streaming platform and contributing to its overall success. Addressing challenges such as resource constraints, shifting priorities, and technical complexities requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and a relentless focus on delivering value to users. Ultimately, the product manager’s ability to execute the roadmap effectively is a key determinant of their performance and contribution to the company’s goals.
8. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Cross-functional collaboration is a linchpin for individuals in product management positions at the streaming service. The nature of product development necessitates seamless interaction between disparate teams to bring a product from conception to launch and beyond. At this entity, this collaboration is not merely a desirable attribute but an essential function for driving innovation and achieving business objectives.
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Engineering Alignment
Product managers are responsible for communicating product requirements and priorities to engineering teams. This involves translating strategic vision into technical specifications, ensuring that engineers have a clear understanding of the goals, user needs, and desired outcomes. A product manager might work with engineers to refine a feature’s design, troubleshoot technical challenges, and coordinate development efforts to meet deadlines. Without this coordination, a delay may happen.
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Design Integration
Product managers work closely with design teams to create intuitive and visually appealing user experiences. They provide feedback on wireframes, prototypes, and visual designs, ensuring that the product aligns with user needs and business objectives. This collaboration extends to user research, where product managers and designers work together to gather insights and validate design decisions. The design and layout improve the user experience.
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Marketing Synergy
Product managers collaborate with marketing teams to develop and execute go-to-market strategies for new products and features. This involves defining target audiences, crafting messaging, and coordinating marketing campaigns. The product manager provides insights into the product’s value proposition and ensures that marketing efforts are aligned with the overall product strategy. Alliances lead to increase customer loyalty and improve traffic.
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Legal and Compliance Coordination
Product managers coordinate with legal and compliance teams to ensure that products adhere to relevant regulations and legal requirements. This involves reviewing product features and functionality to ensure they comply with privacy laws, accessibility standards, and content licensing agreements. This collaboration mitigates legal risks and ensures that the company operates within ethical and legal boundaries. Regulations will be important because of new guidelines.
The ability to effectively navigate and foster cross-functional collaboration directly impacts the success of product management roles at the streaming service. Individuals in these positions must possess excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to build relationships, align stakeholders, and drive collaborative efforts across the organization. The product managers are the key to build collaborative efforts.
9. Communication Prowess
Communication prowess is an indispensable skill for product management positions at the streaming service, underpinning nearly every facet of the role. The ability to articulate ideas clearly, actively listen to diverse perspectives, and effectively convey complex information is essential for driving product strategy and ensuring alignment across teams.
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Articulating Vision and Strategy
Product managers must communicate the product vision and strategy effectively to stakeholders, including executives, engineers, designers, and marketers. This involves crafting compelling narratives, presenting data-driven insights, and tailoring messaging to different audiences. For example, a product manager might present a product roadmap to the executive team, highlighting key features, timelines, and business impact. Success hinges on articulating the ‘why’ behind product decisions and inspiring commitment from all involved parties.
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Facilitating Cross-Functional Alignment
Product development at the streaming company requires close collaboration between diverse teams. Product managers act as communication hubs, ensuring that information flows freely and that all teams are aligned on product goals and priorities. This involves facilitating meetings, documenting decisions, and proactively addressing conflicts or misunderstandings. An example includes coordinating between engineering, design, and marketing teams to ensure a seamless product launch. Clear communication minimizes misinterpretations, prevents delays, and fosters a collaborative environment.
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Eliciting and Integrating User Feedback
Understanding user needs is paramount to successful product development. Product managers must effectively solicit feedback from users through surveys, interviews, and usability testing. This feedback must then be synthesized and communicated to the development team to inform product decisions. For example, a product manager might present user research findings to the engineering team, highlighting pain points and suggesting potential solutions. This integration of user feedback ensures that the product meets the needs of its target audience and delivers a positive user experience.
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Managing Stakeholder Expectations
Product managers are responsible for managing the expectations of various stakeholders, including executives, investors, and users. This involves providing regular updates on product progress, addressing concerns proactively, and managing scope changes. A product manager might communicate a delay in a feature launch to stakeholders, explaining the reasons for the delay and outlining the plan to mitigate its impact. Honest and transparent communication builds trust and ensures that stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the product development process.
These facets of communication prowess are not isolated skills but rather interconnected elements that contribute to the overall effectiveness of product managers within the streaming service. The ability to articulate a vision, facilitate collaboration, integrate user feedback, and manage stakeholder expectations are essential for driving product innovation and achieving business objectives. The ability to communicate effectively determines the efficiency of the position at the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following section addresses commonly encountered inquiries regarding product management positions. The information presented aims to provide clarity and guidance to prospective applicants.
Question 1: What constitutes the core function of product management within the streaming service?
The central responsibility involves defining and executing the strategy for the product. This encompasses understanding user needs, analyzing market trends, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative and engaging product experiences.
Question 2: What qualifications are deemed essential for success in product management at the streaming platform?
Critical attributes include a strong analytical aptitude, proficiency in data-driven decision-making, and exceptional communication abilities. Experience in the technology or entertainment industry, coupled with a track record of successful product launches, is highly advantageous.
Question 3: How does the company measure the performance of its product managers?
Performance is evaluated based on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as subscriber growth, user engagement, and product revenue. A product manager’s ability to deliver impactful results and align product initiatives with overall business objectives is also assessed.
Question 4: What are the primary challenges encountered by product managers at the streaming service?
Key challenges include navigating a rapidly evolving competitive landscape, balancing competing priorities, and managing stakeholder expectations. The ability to adapt quickly to change and make data-informed decisions under pressure is critical.
Question 5: What opportunities for career advancement exist within product management at the entertainment provider?
Opportunities for advancement include progressing to senior product management roles, leading larger product teams, or transitioning into strategic leadership positions within the organization. The company fosters a culture of professional development and provides opportunities for growth.
Question 6: How does the company approach innovation within its product management framework?
Innovation is fostered through a culture of experimentation, data-driven decision-making, and user-centric design. Product managers are encouraged to explore new ideas, conduct A/B tests, and iterate based on user feedback. The organization values individuals who can drive creative solutions and push the boundaries of product innovation.
In summary, product management positions within the streaming service demand a blend of strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and exceptional communication abilities. Successful candidates will demonstrate a passion for innovation, a commitment to data-driven decision-making, and a track record of delivering impactful results.
The subsequent section delves into real-world case studies that exemplify the application of product management principles within the company.
Guidance for Pursuing Product Management Opportunities
The following offers actionable guidance for those seeking roles overseeing product strategy at the prominent streaming service. Success in these positions demands a multifaceted approach, encompassing technical competence, strategic insight, and effective interpersonal skills.
Tip 1: Emphasize Data-Driven Decision-Making in Application Materials. Prospective candidates must showcase their ability to leverage data analytics in making informed product decisions. Examples of past projects where data analysis led to quantifiable improvements are essential.
Tip 2: Develop a Deep Understanding of the Streaming Entertainment Landscape. A comprehensive grasp of industry trends, competitor strategies, and user consumption patterns is critical. Candidates should demonstrate familiarity with key industry metrics and an ability to anticipate future market developments.
Tip 3: Cultivate Strong Communication and Collaboration Skills. Product management inherently involves cross-functional teamwork. Individuals must showcase their ability to effectively communicate ideas, facilitate collaboration, and manage stakeholder expectations across diverse teams.
Tip 4: Focus on User-Centric Design Principles. A deep understanding of user needs and preferences is paramount. Prospective candidates must demonstrate their ability to conduct user research, gather feedback, and translate insights into user-friendly product designs.
Tip 5: Highlight Experience with A/B Testing and Experimentation. Experience in designing and analyzing A/B tests to optimize product features is highly valued. Candidates should provide examples of experiments they have conducted and the resulting impact on key performance indicators.
Tip 6: Demonstrate a Strategic Mindset and Long-Term Vision. Product managers must possess the ability to think strategically and develop long-term product roadmaps that align with business objectives. Candidates should articulate their vision for the product and demonstrate an understanding of how it fits into the broader company strategy.
Tip 7: Build a Portfolio of Relevant Projects and Accomplishments. Documenting past product management experiences, highlighting quantifiable achievements, and showcasing relevant projects will significantly strengthen a candidacy. This demonstrates tangible skills and provides concrete examples of capabilities.
The consistent application of these tips will augment a candidate’s prospects of securing a product management role. Mastery of these principles facilitates effective navigation of the selection process.
The final section provides a summary of key takeaways, emphasizing the significance of product management in the media streaming domain.
Conclusion
This exploration has dissected the multifaceted nature of Netflix product manager jobs. Emphasis has been placed on the crucial attributes associated with these positions, including product vision, strategic planning, user understanding, data analysis, market research, A/B testing, roadmap execution, cross-functional collaboration, and communication prowess. Each of these elements contributes to the overarching goal of delivering exceptional user experiences and driving the company’s continued success in the competitive streaming landscape.
The sustained demand for skilled professionals underscores the strategic importance of this position within the organization. The industry continues its transformation, product leadership remains vital for ensuring relevance, growth, and innovation. Individuals considering this path should cultivate a deep understanding of the discussed principles, positioning themselves for a rewarding and impactful career in the evolving world of streaming entertainment.
