Netflix Unveils Download Feature

Netflix is making some TV shows and movies available to watch offline, providing its users a feature that has become a must-have in emerging markets with spotty internet access as well as for American binge-watchers on the go, according to Bloomberg.

The world’s largest online TV network will roll out its new download feature on phones and tablets for all subscribers, but only for select shows such as “The Crown“ and “Orange is the New Black“ at first, according to a statement.

Netflix has been signaling it would add a downloading option in recent months, as a way to continue increasing its subscriber base and match video-streaming rival Amazon Offline viewing will make Netflix shows more accessible to customers around the world, particularly in developing markets in Asia and Africa.

Netflix has 86.7 million customers worldwide, 47.5 million of whom live in the U.S. The company now relies on international markets for most of its growth, and earlier this year expanded its footprint to the entire world, save for China, Syria, North Korea and Crimea.

As part of an update to Netflix’s mobile app, a “download and watch later“ icon will now appear for subscribers below program information. The new feature is included at no extra charge in all plans and available on both Android and iOS platforms, the company said.