Netflix Offline

[Skanky Vamp]

via LightReading

Following similar moves by Amazon, Comcast and others, Netflix is now working on a feature that will allow subscribers to download certain programs for offline viewing, according to industry insider and Penthera COO Dan Taitz. And Taitz thinks there will be a landscape shift when the new Netflix feature arrives.

"We know from our sources within the industry that Netflix is going to launch this product," says Taitz. "My expectation is that by the end of the year Netflix will be launching download-to-go as an option for their customers."

Industry gossip from a technology vendor is one thing, but Frost & Sullivan Principal Analyst Dan Rayburn confirms that Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) is developing a downloading solution and says that it's something of an open secret in the streaming video community.

"It's a natural progression for Netflix to want to have some of their content available for consumers to watch offline, and we've been hearing for months now that they are in fact going to roll something out soon," says Rayburn.

For Netflix's part, CEO Reed Hastings said earlier this year that he was open to the idea of offering video downloads, but the company is still being coy about its actual product roadmap, unwilling to offer either official confirmation or denial.

"While our focus remains on delivering a great streaming experience, we are always exploring ways to make the service better," says Netflix spokesperson Anne Marie Squeo. But she adds, "We don't have anything to add at this time."

 

[Athena]

Probably for more money though, it's already quite expensive - and going up in price for us next month.🙄

Also, they got rid of Buffy, so I can't see it being worth it.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Probably for more money though, it's already quite expensive - and going up in price for us next month.🙄
Also, they got rid of Buffy, so I can't see it being worth it.

I am not sure you would be able to get it anyway... so it's a good thing you do want it or you'd just be lusting after it.

 

[Fuffy Baith]

I can see Netflix doing that with their original content. Of course that will probably cost more. As long as the US Netflix still has Buffy, I'm fine with the basic package. Whenever I do get Netflix, though. Lol

 

[Mr Trick]

Probably for more money though, it's already quite expensive - and going up in price for us next month.🙄

Also, they got rid of Buffy, so I can't see it being worth it.

Yeah I got an e-mail warning me about that. 7 pounds something isn't? Still think that's not bad espically if you watch it regular during the month which I do. Pretty sure Love Film used to be about 9.99 a month.

 

[white avenger]

it's already quite expensive - and going up in price for us next month

Of course that will probably cost more

That's what it's all about, just an excuse to get more money from their subscribers. Netflix is a business, and businesses have to make a profit. Free enterprise is a very expensive concept.

 

[Mr Trick]

That's what it's all about, just an excuse to get more money from their subscribers. Netflix is a business, and businesses have to make a profit. Free enterprise is a very expensive concept.

But don't you think their probably already making enough money? To me this feels like an add-on just drain somemore out of people. Besides when people buy these shows on DVD I'm pretty sure Netflix gets a share of the profits.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I have no problem at all with it costing more. It's just like the rest of their service; if you want multiple screens it costs more, if you want Ultra HD it costs more, if you want DVD rental it costs more, soon if you want a download option it too will cost more. No one is forcing you to subscribe but these things do cost money for Netflix to provide to the consumer.

 

[Mr Trick]

I have no problem at all with it costing more. It's just like the rest of their service; if you want multiple screens it costs more, if you want Ultra HD it costs more, if you want DVD rental it costs more, soon if you want a download option it too will cost more. No one is forcing you to subscribe but these things do cost money for Netflix to provide to the consumer.

Yeah you are right, but my thing is that maybe the services they already provide is enough of a mony spinner. Don't forget its not the public asking for this new download feature, its netflix themselves who have decided to to do it.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

If the 'public' doesnt want it they dont have to get it. I would love to be able to download some stuff to watch when I dont have wifi. Netflix is deciding to do it because it is what other streaming services do and the amount of people that use the function on other services is high enough to warrant Netflix's moving forward. They didn't just randomly decide this. The first part of R&D is the R part.

 

[Athena]

I'm pretty certain some people do want it and are more than happy to pay for it. But for me personally, I'm not, and as long as it's not forced on people, I'm happy. I am currently questioning whether it's good value for money as it currently stands.... the movie choice isn't great and apart from the Marvel shows, I don't watch anything else on it.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I'm pretty certain some people do want it and are more than happy to pay for it. But for me personally, I'm not, and as long as it's not forced on people, I'm happy. I am currently questioning whether it's good value for money as it currently stands.... the movie choice isn't great and apart from the Marvel shows, I don't watch anything else on it.

That's because the UK Netflix SUCKS! Your selection really is horribly limited.

 

[Mr Trick]

It is better for TV yes. A lot of the movies I've either already seen or don't really want too. At the moment I'd say the televison content alone does make it worth me keeping. There are a lot of shows on there which I need to catch up on and its always good to rewatch older stuff which maybe you haven't seen for awhile, or that you just enjoy watching a lot.

Right now because I'm a student and living away from home and with no TV. I'd say the format works pretty well for me. But I do still favour actually having the DVD's on me or watching television the traditional way if I can.

 

[Bluebird]

I'm thinking of giving up on Netflix, only because I like using my PS4 to stream, and it's almost impossible to get anything but the limited UK Netflix. I do like their documentary section though, Netflix does good docs. Another reason being one of my partner's friends gave us one of his logins for Sky TV, so I have all the movie and tv channels they do, and I don't need to pay for it.

 

[white avenger]

The irony of the whole thing is that there's almost nothing provided by Netflix or any similar service that can't be gotten free elsewhere, even though doing so is technically illegal. It's a simple case of honesty becoming more and more expensive.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

I am quite certain that some third party is working on an app like VLC that allows you to save streamed video and Netflix is trying to reduce the value of this software. I don't think they want to do this - I think they are going to be forced to do this. It is not a surprise that they want to gain a revenue stream by offering something for a low cost that reduces the use of movie storage software.