Tech

Settle down in front of the TV and binge watch your favourite shows on Netflix this Christmas with these handy tips...

Check the Netflix Bible Netflix is pretty good at recommending shows you might like based on what you’ve watched in the past, but if you want a bit more control, make sure you check out the ‘Netflix Bible’ at WhatsOnNetflix.com. This provides a comprehensive list, organised by genre, so you can see all of the content on offer and pre-plan your Christmas TV schedule.

Rate the programmes you watch Netflix records data on everything you watch, but unless you tell it what you like and don’t like, it will keep recommending more of the same. For better recommendations, take a few seconds to rate the programmes you’ve watched. That way, Netflix has a better idea of what to push your way and, importantly, what to hold back.

Watch with friends While most people agree on-demand viewing is preferable to being tied to a TV schedule, you do miss out on the pleasure of watching programmes simultaneously with friends. The Rabbit app lets you sync your Netflix account with those of friends and family, so you can watch together and chat about shows in real time.

Download your favourite shows Until recently, Netflix only allowed users to stream films and TV series over the web, meaning you needed a reliable internet connection. But now you can download titles onto your device for offline viewing. This is ideal if you’ve got a long train journey or a flight home for Christmas.

Spin for the win Need help choosing your next box set? Why not give Netflix Roulette a whirl? The website lets you specify a genre, a minimum IMDB rating, and whether you want to watch a film or TV show. You then spin the wheel of fortune to get a random suggestion from Netflix’s catalogue as to what to watch.