Netflix users across the UK and other parts of the world will soon lose access to a way of watching content.
Netflix appears to be following the BBC’s popular iPlayer service by blocking a feature that allows users to watch content offline. The iPlayer app ended the option for PC owners to download and view shows on the move earlier this year, now the same update is about to hit Netflix subscribers.
The streaming giant has just released news of an upcoming upgrade for those who binge box sets and have movie nights using Windows-powered devices.
Although there are some useful new additions – such as improved access to live events and better streaming quality – it’s also been confirmed that downloading things onto the internal hard disk to then watch on the move when there’s no Wi-Fi access is being blocked.
“A new Netflix app for Windows is coming soon, which includes support for watching live events, increased streaming quality, compatibility with ad-supported plans, and more,” Netflix said in an update to its support pages.
“While downloads will no longer be supported, you can continue to watch TV shows and movies offline on a supported mobile device.”
It’s a major blow to anyone who currently enjoys this feature as, once the new app launches it will end that useful functionality.
It’s unclear why Netflix is ending Windows downloads but it could be due to not enough people using it.
That was why the BBC stopped allowing laptop owners to download its content back in February.
“We have made the difficult decision to close the BBC iPlayer Downloads application for PC and Mac, due to the low number of people using it and the cost required to keep it going,” the BBC explained.
There’s no word on when the Netflix changes will kick in or if, like the BBC, the streaming giant will allow things already downloaded to be watched.
When PC iPlayer changes were enforced, users were given a month to view what had already been downloaded. Expect more news in the coming months.
