If you were eyeing up the upcoming ad-supported tier of Netflix, it looks like there is some more worrying news regarding what it can and cannot do. Following on from reports that not all content will be available at launch, there are suggestions that offline viewing will not be supported either.
This according to developer Steve Moser, who has discovered text within the code for the iOS version of Netflix that says, “Downloads available on all plans except Netflix with ads.”
“Text found in Netflix’s app reveals that the new plan will not allow content to be downloaded for offline viewing. This is not a surprising move given that many other streaming services only work online,” Moser added in his blog post.
Speaking to TechCrunch on the matter, Netflix chose to sit on the fence, opting not to confirm, nor deny the developer’s report.
“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,” an unnamed spokesperson told the publication.
As such, it is very much a case of waiting to see what will happen. While we will need confirmation on that front, the more details we hear about the ad-supported tier, the less tempting a prospect it will be.
Sure, there are other streaming platforms that feature an ad-supported package without access to offline viewing, but that feature is one of the defining elements of the Netflix experience.
For those in countries like South Africa, where data is expensive and loadshedding looms constantly, the ability to download content to view is a great plus. Not having it available on a more affordable version of Netflix might actually compel users to switch to the paid version or move to another platform altogether.
With a lot still up in the air when it comes to this platform, pricing and the available features will play a crucial role in uptake. In the interim, we will need to wait until early next year, when the new tier is expected to be officially detailed and launched.
