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Netflix

Netflix bats off calls to introduce ‘complex’ offline viewing

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By John Glenday, Reporter

September 10, 2015 | 2 min read

Streaming service Netflix is resisting calls to follow in Amazon Prime’s footsteps and introduce an offline viewing feature, after dismissing such a system as too ‘complex’ for its viewers.

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Aficionados have long called for such a feature, which would prove a boon to travellers and those with an intermittent wi-fi connection but Netflix has long resisted their pleas.

Outlining his company’s stance chief product officer Neil Hunt told Gizmodo: “I think it’s something that lots of people ask for. We’ll see if it’s something lots of people will use.

“Undoubtedly it adds considerable complexity to your life with Amazon Prime – you have to remember that you want to download this thing. It’s not going to be instant, you have to have the right storage on your device, you have to manage it, and I’m just not sure people are actually that compelled to do that, and that it’s worth providing that level of complexity.”

Netflix is wary of bowing to customer pressure after agreeing to introduce half-star ratings at the request of some users – only to see participation fall substantially, choosing to rely on ever expanding wi-fi networks instead.

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