Netflix has long hinted at the fact that it may offer video downloading and offline viewing to help customers deal with the threat of usage caps. Unfortunately, that functionality may not be coming to US customers anytime soon. Speaking to CNBC this week, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said that while the service option may eventually launch in areas that lack access to robust high-speed internet, it probably won't be launching in the States, where broadband is more widely available at faster speeds.
That runs in stark contrast to several media outlets and streaming experts that claimed
back in June that Netflix downloads would be launching soon.
"We still think for the developed world our thesis has been true but I think as we get into more and more (of the) undeveloped world and developing countries that we want to find alternatives for people to use Netflix easily," Sarandos said.
Netflix has waffled on the idea of downloads several times over the last year, CEO Reed Hastings saying back in April that the company should "keep an open mind" about the idea.
Netflix has done a good job giving fixed and mobile broadband customers access to tools that allow them to control stream quality, therefore letting users consume less of their monthly bandwidth allotments. But as usage caps spread and 4K streaming becomes the norm, US users with a household-full of Netflix viewers may still find themselves bumping up against their usage limitations sooner rather than later.