When I was younger I had a portable TV with a mode where you could listen to broadcasts with the screen off, which allowed me to secretly enjoy shows that I was actually not allowed to watch. According to Android police, a similar feature is now being introduced to Netflix, essentially turning your favorite shows into audio-only podcasts.
The feature was first discovered by in late October XDA Developers who found evidence of the new feature that allows video to be disabled after truncating an Android APK file, but at the time it wasn’t officially implemented as a usable feature in the Netflix app. The feature seems to finally appear for some subscribers in the form of a toggle ‘Video on / video off’ button when using Netflix in full screen mode. All standard video playback controls are retained, but the screen remains black when video is turned off.
Android police also discovered a new ‘Audio only’ section in the Netflix app’s settings that describes the mode in more detail ‘Listen to shows and movies while using other apps or when your screen is locked. Enjoy your favorites and use less data with the video switched off. Tapping the option opens a submenu where users can specify when “Video Out” mode is available. It can be always on, always off, or displayed only when using headphones or external speakers.
Netflix positions the feature as a way to enjoy the streaming service’s content with minimal data usage, but it’s also an easy way to turn your favorite series into a podcast and binge a show in the car or other places you can’t stare at a screen. Of course, turning the video off will likely work better for some shows than others. It will be great for documentaries, but not be able to actually see the awful revelations on a show like Success! probably would spoil the fun.