Netflix Reportedly Enabling Offline Viewing By Year’s End
Netflix is a pioneer in the streaming video space and helped popularize the concept of watching movies over an Internet connection. Be that as it may, it's fallen a bit behind the technological curve in recent times, at least in terms of not being able to view videos offline like you can with rivals Amazon and Comcast. That's going to change.
Industry insider and Penthera Partners COO Dan Taitz says Netflix is busy working implementing the ability for subscribers to download certain content for offline viewing. If true, it wouldn't be a complete surprise, both because the competition is already doing it and also because Netflix CEO Reed Hastings earlier this year said he was open to the idea.
"We know from our sources within the industry that Netflix is going to launch this product," Taitz said. "My expectation is that by the end of the year Netflix will be launching download-to-go as an option for their customers."
It's worth noting that Penthera has a vested interest in Netflix's streaming plans. Penthera develops video downloading technology for various clients including Comcast, Charter Communications, and Starz Entertainment. Netflix could help popularize the concept of offline viewing, which in turn could compel other services to tap Penthera for its technology.
"I still view download as something that's emerging into the consciousness of consumers," Taitz added. "They know about downloads because before there were streaming services people downloaded movies and videos from iTunes, but they're not necessarily looking for download as a feature of their streaming service they're already paying for."
The challenge for Netflix will be getting its content partners on board with the idea. It's not likely that Netflix's entire catalog will be made available for offline viewing, though if it's serious about the idea, it's reasonable to expect that all of Netflix's original content will be.
Industry insider and Penthera Partners COO Dan Taitz says Netflix is busy working implementing the ability for subscribers to download certain content for offline viewing. If true, it wouldn't be a complete surprise, both because the competition is already doing it and also because Netflix CEO Reed Hastings earlier this year said he was open to the idea.
"We know from our sources within the industry that Netflix is going to launch this product," Taitz said. "My expectation is that by the end of the year Netflix will be launching download-to-go as an option for their customers."
It's worth noting that Penthera has a vested interest in Netflix's streaming plans. Penthera develops video downloading technology for various clients including Comcast, Charter Communications, and Starz Entertainment. Netflix could help popularize the concept of offline viewing, which in turn could compel other services to tap Penthera for its technology.
"I still view download as something that's emerging into the consciousness of consumers," Taitz added. "They know about downloads because before there were streaming services people downloaded movies and videos from iTunes, but they're not necessarily looking for download as a feature of their streaming service they're already paying for."
The challenge for Netflix will be getting its content partners on board with the idea. It's not likely that Netflix's entire catalog will be made available for offline viewing, though if it's serious about the idea, it's reasonable to expect that all of Netflix's original content will be.
