Some of the subscribers of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) particularly those with slow internet speeds are hoping to download shows for offline viewing. Some services such as the BBC iPlayer, 4oD and YouTube allow users to download contents for offline viewing.
Netflix believes Wi-Fi access will improve significantly
Cliff Edwards, the director of corporate communications and technology of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) put an end to the possibility of an offline viewing. In an interview with TechRadar, Edward said such service is “never going to happen.”
Edwards explained that providing subscribers with the ability to download shows such as House of Cards and view it offline is just a “short-term fix for a bigger problem,” which the quality of Wi-Fi access.
In 2012, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) expressed skepticism regarding the benefits of offline viewing. Back then, the online video streaming company said, “There are some user cases where streaming isn’t best used — like when you are on a plane with your device — but it is such a small proportion of the market it’s not really beneficial to pursue this.”
Edwards believes that people will no longer talk about the issue of offline viewing in the future as the quality of Wi-Fi access will improve significantly over the next few years.
Internet speeds improves in Europe and U.S.
Earlier this month, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) reported that the internet speeds in the United States and Europe increased significantly in November.
According to the online video streaming company, the average speed for the top 10 cable and fiber ISPs in the United States rose more than 1.00 Megabit per second (Mbps) to 3.07 Mbps.
“Certain ISPs — Comcast, Verizon, Time Warner Cable and AT&T — saw a significant increase in their average speeds only after Netflix met their demand for interconnection payments. We continue to believe the long-term health of the Internet is at risk if ISPs can demand access fees from content providers simply to reach consumers already paying for Internet service,” according to Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX).
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) also observed that the internet speeds of ISPs in Europe showed a similar improvement last month. The company said countries in the region including UK and Ireland have an average internet speed of 3.31 Mbps.
Netflix aims to reach a deal with cable companies next year
Last week, it had been reported that Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) aims to reach agreements with major cable companies. The company wants its content to be included in cable boxes after successfully integrating it in every TV, Blu-Ray Player, Streaming Box, and Streaming Stick.
The online video streaming company hopes to strike a deal with AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC) and Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR).
