Netflix Windows app is set to remove its downloads feature, while introducing ads

https://www.techradar.com/streaming/thanks-a-bunch-netflix-its-windows-app-is-about-to-lose-downloads-but-gain-ads

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/15542273

Netflix has managed to annoy a good number of its users with an announcement about an upcoming update to its Windows 11 (and Windows 10) app: support for adverts and live events will be added, but the ability to download content is being taken away.

Netflix must realize that it's a huge frustration for people who relied on offline downloads to watch content without internet access: on planes, trains, and campsites, and anywhere else where Wi-Fi is unavailable or unreliable.

There's a small chance that Netflix will change its mind if it gets enough complaints, but the streaming service seems determined to add as many money-making features as possible, while taking away genuinely useful ones.

161 points · 11 comments · view on lemmy.world

11 Comments

Arghblarg@lemmy.ca · 33 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Back to the high seas, mates. Yarrr.

KillerTofu@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 2y

Back to? Never left!

Schorsch@feddit.de · 7 pts · 2y

The ultimate hack to get the download feature back for free. Without Netflix!

southernbrewer@lemmy.world · 23 pts · 2y (1 reply)

What's the point of installing the app then? Just use netflix in a browser if you're going to use netflix. The only reason you even needed the stupid app was to use the download feature

nehal3m@sh.itjust.works · 18 pts · 2y

I think the app allows for a higher quality stream because non-native browsers don't support the DRM required for higher quality streaming. It's bullshit but here we are.

stevestevesteve@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Absolutely unacceptable. Glad I got rid of Netflix a long time ago

stevedidwhat_infosec@infosec.pub · 6 pts · 2y

Can confirm

Zachariah@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y

Highly subsidized by my phone carrier and watched by my whole family.

But this is the antepenultimate straw.

Broken_Monitor@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y

Ah gee wizz seems like every time they annoy the shit out of people they make more money cause people keep signing up.

CareHare@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 2y

DirkMcCallahan@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y

Netflix is really pushing the "boil a frog" theory to its limits...and sadly, so far, it seems as if its users are fine with it.