Netflix downloads could be here soon, but not for U.S. users

Netflix is working on a way for users to watch movies and TV offline, the company's chief content officer all but confirmed this week.

"We have talked a lot about this over the years and our belief is that broadband and wifi become more and more ubiquitous, available in more and more places that you are, more and more minutes of the day," Chief Content Office Ted Sarandos told CNBC.

"Now as we've launched in more territories … They all have different levels of broadband speeds and wifi access. So in those countries they have adapted their behaviors to be much more of a downloading culture. So in those emerging territories it starts to become a little more interesting. We still think for the developed world our thesis has been true but I think as we get into more and more [of the] undeveloped world and developing countries that we want to find alternatives for people to use Netflix easily."

So what does that mean? Well, Netflix is thinking about adding a way for users to download their shows and movies to watch offline — but not for US users or others in the "developed world." The ability to download content to watch offline is a relatively common feature of other services such as Amazon Prime Video.

Serandos told CNBC Netflix was "looking at it now, so we'll see when" regarding the downloading feature.

Netflix offers its service in 190 countries, after launching in 130 new international markets in a huge expansion this year. Domestic growth is slowing for Netflix, and international expansion is key to the continued success of its business model.

Netflix added 3.2 million members in non-U.S. markets last quarter. In the U.S., the company only added 368,000 new subscribers.

The company announced it would scale back its ambitions for expansion in China amid challenges there, even as it continues to aggressively pursue international growth elsewhere.

If Netflix subscribers outside the U.S. want to download shows, then downloads they'll get.