Why linear programming will bring more viewers to Netflix’s content What happens when an a la carte service delivers a set menu? Netflix's foray into linear programming has Paykel Media managing director Sarah Keith intrigued. December 14, 2020 9:07 by SARAH KEITH If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the free to air TV industry should be feeling very flattered by a recent move by the streaming giant Netflix. In November, Netflix France announced the launch of Netflix Direct, a subscriber-only linear channel that will show French, international and US feature films and TV series. It represents Netflix’s first foray into real-time, scheduled programming. It also prompts an obvious question: why has a company whose entire brand is built around reinventing television adopted a viewing experience that dates back to the 1950s?