Then why this?
It sure sounds like a backpedal. Someone who paid for the show would have just said so.
By the way, Netflix does let you download many shows onto your chosen device. I believe DSC is one of them, but I am not 100% without checking.
You are correct that Netflix allows you to download to other devices. I didn't know myself until the other day when one of my friends came over to use my internet as he is currently without it at home. Whilst he was here he downloaded the last 2 episodes of Stranger Things season 2 onto his phone.