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

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.

guyrocket,
guyrocket avatar

Boycott!

tiredofsametab,

I got not long after they stopped DVDs and the selection plummeted in the areas I was interested (a lot of niche films and foreign films for language practice, so not super common). Have not regretted it.

unreasonabro, (edited )

the televisionification (good grief, what?) of the internet is truly one of the most monstrous and monumental failures of creativity the world has ever seen.

Cramming this square peg into that round hole no matter the fucking consequences

nothing matters but money, right? (kys pos)

FangedWyvern42,
@FangedWyvern42@lemmy.world avatar

Guess people are gonna have to sail the seven seas.

BigTrout75,

This is no big deal because Windows users are used to ads. Sorry feeling snarky.

Katana314,

Downloads on my Surface for the sake of my vacation were the reason I resubscribed. Seems fitting it should be the reason I unsubscribe. I only worry about finding a good point of communication to let them know about this reason.

banana_lama,

Took me a minute to figure out why these 2 updates would be bundled together. Must be cause if you downloaded something you’d be able to bypass their ads

supermarkus,

Must be cause if you downloaded something you’d be able to bypass their ads

They could also download the ads. People on an ad-supported subscription tier would probably expect that those are there.

banana_lama,

The ad design could link to the products and out of Netflix. So they wouldn’t get clicks

Idk I didn’t have expertise in this space

j4yt33,

They’ve gone full circle at this point: it’s like paying for TV channels and piracy is looking really attractive again, even though Netflix was the reason many people stopped doing that initially (I assume)

NutWrench,
@NutWrench@lemmy.world avatar

Yup. Cable TV was amazing back in the 1980s. Almost no ads and great content (I loved “Night Flight” on USA, especially). But it didn’t take them more than 10 years to ruin it.

pelerinli,

To be honest, I like watching SciFi and superhero movies yet cinemas are too expensive in my country. So, my fiance (Netflix) and I (Amazon Prime) bought thsse services and using together.

But guess what:

  1. No HBO in my country, so no DC for me. Yet they are not selling DC to Turkey neither. So no DC movie for me after 2018(?)
  2. Both Netflix and Prime just puts their content, and forget the rest for Turkey. For example I couldn’t watch Mad Max: Fury Road one month ago
  3. They are doing some kind of censorship? You cannot watch too bloody, too sexual, too whatever content while there is no legal censorship on internet content. For example I can watch “Barda” (“at pub”) on Youtube but not on Prime.

So yes, why I am paying for TV channels wtih ads?

Dicska, (edited )

Back then, when I wanted to watch a film, I checked Netflix first, then amazon video. I only reached for other sources if it was unavailable at both. Now there are way too many platforms to pay for, and they are getting way too shitty to pay at all.

There was a time when I was even feeling good going “clean”. Now everything is dirtier than I ever imagined.

j4yt33,

Totally agree!

kevincox,
@kevincox@lemmy.ml avatar

Yeah, not only are there a dozen platforms that you need to search but they all suck. I have seen so many instances where people download videos for a vacation and then they can’t be played. I can’t even share screenshots to advertise the shows that you are selling to my friends for free!

Funny enough when I have a video file sitting on my computer it just works, all of the time, super fast. And instead of using services that tell me what streaming platform a given show is on it is easier to use a service that tell me the infohash of the file.

Scrollone,

I’m laughing in Plex

AgentGrimstone,

Netflix living long enough to become the villain I see

Sonofabrat,

z

Sonofabrat,
Sonofabrat,

deleted_by_moderator

    •
    gnygnygny,

    A quick reminder : you don’t need to watch Netflix.

    WeLoveCastingSpellz,

    its like they want you to turn to piracy

    Lost_My_Mind,

    Plot twist! Now the pirate pay costs subscription fees, and is owned by Netflix!!! Ohhhhh, what a twist!

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