Thanks a bunch, Netflix – its Windows app is about to lose downloads
www.techradar.com
But ad-supported plans will now be catered for

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.

    • Darkard@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      6 months ago

      “millennials are killing the streaming industry”

      The next season of Bridgerton is cancelled because you selfish millennials wouldn’t drink your verification cans

      • Billiam@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        6 months ago

        Actually, that’s probably the one excuse that wouldn’t fly. The only company that cancels more stuff randomly and with no reason than Netflix is Google.

        • snooggums@midwest.socialEnglish
          1·
          6 months ago

          All of the major broadcast networks have always canceled stuff as fast as Netflix, maybe faster since they sometimes cancel shows before the first season has completed airing.

          • Billiam@lemmy.worldEnglish
            0·
            6 months ago

            Yes, but they had the veneer of “low ratings” to hide behind. Netflix cancels their content with no warning and no explanation.

            • PlantObserver@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              6 months ago

              Netflix has a more accurate picture of their user ratings for shows than Nielsen ever provided cable companies…

    • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      6 months ago

      People have been making this comment for so long, with every anti-consumer change, and it’s never been true.

      Killing VPN usages didn’t do it, canceling shows didn’t do it, the splintering of offerings across multiple platforms didn’t do it, killing password sharing didn’t do it, raising prices didn’t do it, including an advertising tier didn’t do.

      And this will not do it.

      Hell, this is barely going to tweak the dial. The overwhelming majority of people don’t watch Netflix on the desktop app, why should they fear kick back from the few that do? All they’ll say is the mobile versions will still let you download (because those file systems are sealed away from the user).

      Consumers will accept anything if there’s no where else to get what they want. It’s why the “free market” has no power in the tech space: consumers are so addicted to their chosen platforms, apps, devices, and services that they will accept literally anything before they entertain the idea of using anything else.

      That’s partially why enshitification is getting so bad: there’s no punishment for it. Users will not move.

      • T00l_shed@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        6 months ago

        Not enough uses for sure. I canceled all the shitty ones once they implemented these stupid as fuck changes.

      • Beetlejuice001@lemmy.wtfEnglish
        1·
        6 months ago

        It’s ads while I’m paying that would do it for sure for me. I think I pay $24 a month. About to go back to sailing the high seas regardless. Their content has been lacking for quite a while.

    • NutWrench@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      Yup. Just surprised Pikachu faces all around at Netflix. “But we were assured by our marketing department that customers would just pay any amout we wanted!”