Netflix’s new ad-supported and cheapest tier will not allow users to download content for offline streaming.
Netflix’s new ad-supported tier that is launching next year will not let users download content for offline viewing.
According to Bloomberg, the revelation came when developer Steve Moser examined the code inside Netflix’s iPhone app.
The code read, “Downloads available on all plans except Netflix with ads”. The downloading feature is one of the key features of the popular streaming platform since downloading is commonly used when access to a Wi-Fi connection is unavailable or the connection is unstable.
The report also revealed that the playback option will be removed too while the ads play which will prevent the subscribers from skipping them.
Netflix co-CEO and the chief content officer, Ted Sarandos announced that the ad-tier subscription won’t include all licensed content at launch and the company was in talks with studios to increase the amount of content available for the ad-supported tier.
The ad tier version is expected to launch in early 2023 and although the subscription rates have not been revealed, it is expected to be Netflix’s cheapest tier.