It’s true! You can now watch Netflix offline with new software update – Finally…
Netflix is finally catching up with times. With so much competition in the digital streaming world, such as Amazon Prime Video and now Vudu, Netflix is earning its spot at the table. Netflix has released an early Christmas gift to you -and millions of others- with the ability to now download movies and TV shows for offline viewing. The announcement, made by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, boosted the company’s stock price 9% to $117.68. This is a win for this digital streaming giant.
The great news is you will no longer find yourself stuck in a bus or plane staring into space with nothing to do. With this new offering, you can now watch a TV show or movie that you have previously downloaded while you still had wifi within your clutches.
So… is there a catch?
As with most great things that seem too good to be true, there is a catch. Netflix is not allowing all content available to be downloaded. This feature mainly applies to Netflix’s original TV shows or movies and some other seemingly random choices, as opposed to shows licensed from other providers. Before you fret, you still have Breaking Bad, You’ve got Mad Men, Pulp Fiction and the like. These are obviously some good offerings.
Netflix did mention that there is “more on the way”, so this may not necessarily be the case for long.
This. On loop. Forever. pic.twitter.com/5pSMobiaGv
— Netflix US (@netflix) December 1, 2016
So how can you watch Netflix offline
Once you’ve updated to the latest version of Netflix on your Android or iPhone, a download button will appear next to the play button for only shows that allow it. There will be two options offered: standard quality and high quality. According to the help section of Netflix, it is stated that,”Standard quality is a slightly lower video quality that requires less storage space and takes less time to download. Higher quality requires more storage space and takes more time to download.”
When you are ready to access your downloaded files, you will simply tap the menu icon and choose ‘My Downloads’. Simple enough.
Netflix changed their mind
What’s interesting about this turn of events is that the executives at Netflix have previously stated the company was unlikely to embrace a change such as this. One contributing factor for the change is the fact Netflix has spread their territory Internationally, now reaching 130 countries. Not all countries have the same wifi access that the United States has grown accustomed to and is so fortunate to have, so streaming a movie or TV show in some of these other areas is a challenge. Offline downloading will help viewers in those countries get access to the service more easily.
Of course we cannot dismiss the fact that Netflix needs to remain more competitive due to the growing competition, especially from e-commerce giant Amazon and its Prime Video offering that already offers the same feature. YouTube Red also allows offline viewing. The great news is, offline playback is available for all streaming plans, so Netflix isn’t trying to use it to up-sell people on higher subscription tiers. Well, thank you Netflix, I accept my gift.
