If recent reports are true then Netflix subscribers may finally be getting one of the main features that they’ve been asking for and it could happen before the end of 2016.
Just as has already been done by Amazon, Comcast and others, Netflix may finally allow its users to download certain programs for offline viewing.
According to Dan Taitz, COO of mobile video firm Penthera (via Light Reading)…
“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.”
And he isn’t the only one saying that it will happen, and soon…
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.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings also said earlier this year that he was open to the idea of offering video downloads, but of course, nothing official has been announced…yet.
Speculation is that when offline viewing does become available it could be limited to just Netflix originals.
Even if that does turn out to be the case, it would still be a huge boon to subscribers who are tired of eating up their data or being limited to only watching shows where there is Wi-Fi.
Bring it on!
Netflix image: Twin Design / Shutterstock.com