Netflix Windows app is set to remove its downloads feature, while introducing ads
techradar.com
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.
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"What killed streaming?" - article from 2026
"millennials are killing the streaming industry"
The next season of Bridgerton is cancelled because you selfish millennials wouldn't drink your verification cans
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.
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.
Yes, but they had the veneer of "low ratings" to hide behind. Netflix cancels their content with no warning and no explanation.
Netflix has a more accurate picture of their user ratings for shows than Nielsen ever provided cable companies...
I still love that verification can reference. It was actually quite a bit ago but keeps getting more and more relevant.
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.
It’s sort of like “Going All-In works everytime. Until it doesn’t”
Not enough uses for sure. I canceled all the shitty ones once they implemented these stupid as fuck changes.
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.
Is there any space where the "free market" actually exists?
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!"
Greed, same as everything else
There's not enough guaranteed margin in a single combined streaming and production house to feed the employees, investors, and media moguls.
None of these companies are being outright assholes (well not more than normal). The business model is simply not sustainable and they're doing whatever they can to slow the inevitable collapse. We're producing 10 times the content we used to produce, and the revenue from the streamers is nowhere near enough to cover the bills.
What?
Why would you use the gross numbers that don't include the price of making the movies?
Netflix is in reasonably green but it's the only one
Disney Plus is still in the red if you include their ESPN streaming.
Warner/discovery/max is barely in the green at 100 million.
Revenue in Q4 grew 12% year over year, to $8.83 billion, higher than Netflix’s previous forecast due to favorable foreign exchange rates and “stronger than anticipated membership growth,” the company said. Net income was $938 million, or $2.11 per share.
I'll give you the silver star for participation award. Now you want to talk about how they're the only truly profitable company or does that straight too far from your agenda?