Redesigning the Show Detail Page for a Better Streaming Experience

Overview

As part of a UX research initiative, I worked alongside our UX researcher to improve the show detail page on our streaming platform. We wanted to understand how users discover new shows, what elements help them decide to watch, and how they engage with episode listings. Using insights from user interviews, I designed and tested high-fidelity prototypes to refine these interactions and improve the overall experience.

The Problem

The show detail page plays a crucial role in a streaming platform—it’s where users decide whether to invest their time in a new show. However, we didn’t fully understand what influenced that decision. Were users drawn in by cast information? Did they struggle with episode listings, especially for incomplete seasons? Were they able to easily navigate different sections of the page?

We needed answers, and more importantly, we needed solutions.

Understanding User Needs

Research Goals

Our research focused on two key areas:

  1. Content discovery: What makes users engage with a new show? How do they explore and show details before making a decision?
  2. Episode navigation: How can we present episodes—especially for incomplete seasons—in a way that feels intuitive and clear?

User Recruitment & Research Methodology

We recruited participants using a combination of past research candidates and an open call on the platform’s homepage. A screener survey helped us ensure a diverse mix of users.

For the study, we conducted moderated user interviews via Userlytics. Participants interacted with high-fidelity prototypes, allowing us to observe their natural behaviours as they explored a redesigned show detail page.

Design & Testing Approach

Prototyping for User Testing

I designed a high-fidelity prototype in Figma to test different ways of displaying:

  • Additional metadata, such as cast information.
  • A grid-based episode layout for better visual clarity.
  • Alternative navigation structures to improve the overall experience.

User Testing Process

Participants were asked to navigate the prototype as if they were exploring a show for the first time. We focused on:

  • How easily they could find cast details and other metadata.
  • Whether the episode grid helped them quickly understand what was available.
  • How intuitive the navigation felt, particularly when switching between different sections.

Key Insights & Design Iterations

What We Learned

  • Navigation confusion: Users didn’t always realize when they had switched to a new section within the show detail page. The sub-navigation tabs weren’t clear enough, leading to uncertainty about where they were in the interface.
  • Improved episode clarity: The grid-style episode layout worked well. Users found it easier to scan available episodes and understand how many were accessible.

Design Refinements

Based on these insights, I iterated on the design by:

  • Removing sub-navigation tabs that caused confusion. Instead, we used a clearer, more streamlined approach.
  • Introducing a modal for additional metadata (e.g., cast details). This kept the main page focused while allowing users to access extra information without losing their place.

Challenges & Solutions

Biggest Challenge: Simplifying Navigation Without Losing Information

Users wanted detailed show information but also needed a seamless, intuitive experience. The challenge was balancing depth and simplicity—how could we provide rich content without overwhelming users?

The Solution: Prioritization & Progressive Disclosure

The switch from sub-navigation tabs to a modal helped strike that balance. It kept primary content front and center while offering additional details on demand. This change made navigation smoother while giving users easy access to the information they wanted.

Final Outcome

Impact & Results

After implementing these changes, user testing confirmed significant improvements:

  • Users navigated the show detail page with greater ease and confidence.
  • The new episode grid helped them quickly assess episode availability.
  • The modal approach reduced cognitive load by keeping extra information accessible but not intrusive.

Stakeholder Alignment

Before finalizing the design, I presented our findings and prototype updates to key stakeholders. The feedback was positive, and the updated design was approved for further development.

Key Takeaways

Lessons Learned

  • Small UI changes can have a big impact. Removing sub-navigation tabs was a relatively minor tweak, but it significantly improved clarity.
  • Users don’t always explore pages the way we expect. We assumed sub-navigation would be intuitive, but testing proved otherwise.
  • Progressive disclosure is key to balancing detail with simplicity. The modal approach worked because it provided extra information without cluttering the core experience.

This project reinforced the importance of continuous iteration and user validation. By putting user needs at the center of our design process, we created an experience that was more intuitive, efficient, and engaging.