Netflix Finally Launches Downloads For Offline Viewing

Taking these folks home for the holidays just got easier

Holiday travel is about to get way more bearable, thanks to a long-anticipated update from Netflix. Members of the streaming service can now download their favourite shows for viewing on-the-go.

“While many members enjoy watching Netflix at home, we've often heard they also want to continue their Stranger Things binge while on airplanes and other places where Internet is expensive or limited,” said Eddy Wu, the company's director of product innovation, in a press release. “Just click the download button on the details page for a film or TV series and you can watch it later without an internet connection.”

Titles that can be viewed offline now come with a download icon. You can also browse specifically in an “Available for Download” section. Once a show or movie has been downloaded, you'll find it in your “My Downloads” section.

Offline watching won't cost you anything extra, but there are a couple of catches. The feature is only available for the newest version of Netflix, so update your smartphone/tablet app immediately. The feature is also only available for “select TV shows and movies.” So far that means Netflix Originals like Orange Is the New Black, Narcos, and The Crown.

The company promises more downloadable content is coming, and we're also keeping fingers crossed for an offline mode for desktop.