Netflix grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2023. The streaming service canceled original shows left and right, scrapped movies that were completed before they launched, and is preparing to crack down on password sharing in the coming weeks. Subscribers aren’t exactly thrilled with the choices Netflix has made, but maybe a few enhanced features for Netflix Premium plan users will be enough to distract us from all the turmoil.
New features for Netflix Premium
On Wednesday, Netflix introduced two features for members currently on the Premium plan and those who will upgrade to the service’s more expensive plan in the future.
The first is Spatial Audio, which Netflix describes as “a more cinematic audio experience on any device, with no special equipment required.” Whether you’re watching on your TV, phone, or computer, you’ll be able to hear sound all around you. According to Netflix, spatial audio is already available on more than 700 titles, including stranger things, The Observer, Wednesdayand Glass Onion. You can hear the feature in action in the video below:
If you want to find titles that support this new feature, just type “spatial audio” into the Netflix search bar. Every supported title will appear in search.
The second novelty is more of an upgrade. Starting today, anyone on Netflix’s Premium plan can download content to watch offline on up to six devices. This represents four devices previously. Supported devices include iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 9.0 or later, Android phone or tablet running Android 4.4.2 or later, Amazon Fire tablet running Fire OS 4.0 or later, Windows 10 (version 1709 or later) or Windows 11 tablet or computer, and any Chromebook and Chromebox computer using the Netflix app from the Google Play Store.
These are welcome additions to Netflix’s most expensive plan, but keep in mind that the Premium plan costs $19.99 per month. That’s a few dollars more than the Disney Plus Premium and Peacock Premium plans combined, just for some perspective.