NETFLIX’S AD-SUPPORTED PLAN MAY BLOCK DOWNLOADS FOR OFFLINE VIEWING

Thu 18 August 2022:

The planned ad-supported tier of popular video streaming platform Netflix is unlikely to make the platform’s offline viewing function available to members on this low-end tier of the service.

According to TechCrunch, this revelation was made after developer Steve Moser discovered code within the Netflix iPhone app indicating that the streaming service will prohibit customers from saving films to their devices for offline viewing.

Text in the code stated, “Downloads available on all plans except Netflix with ads”, and also suggested users would be directed to personalise their ad experience and would not be able to skip commercials, as is expected.

Netflix declined to comment on the downloads feature specifically to the website, but suggested it may be a part of the final product.

“We are still in the early days of deciding how to launch a lower priced, ad-supported option and no decisions have been made. So this is all just speculation at this point,” a Netflix spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The platform said in June that it would introduce an ad-supported tier before the end of the year in order to cut its losses and increase user engagement.

Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, affirmed during the Cannes Lions advertising conference that the streaming giant will continue to run advertisements.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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