Netflix Ends Casting Support for Most TVs
▼ Summary
– Netflix has intentionally disabled its Google Cast feature for most users, requiring a more expensive subscription plan to use it.
– The change is part of a broader Netflix strategy to restrict password sharing and control where content is watched.
– Casting is now only supported on the company’s ad-free service tiers, which start at $18 per month, not the cheaper ad-supported plan.
– Even with a qualifying plan, casting is limited to older devices without a remote, like early Chromecast models or certain older TVs.
– Modern devices with a full Netflix app or OS, like newer Chromecasts or smart TVs, will require users to log into the TV app directly.
If you’ve recently struggled to send your favorite Netflix show from your phone to your television, the issue likely isn’t a faulty connection. Netflix has deliberately scaled back its support for the Google Cast feature, a move that significantly changes how many viewers interact with the service. This update means casting is now restricted to users on premium, ad-free subscription plans and is only functional with a limited selection of older hardware, effectively pushing users toward the native apps on their smart TVs or streaming devices.
The Google Cast protocol became a staple for streaming after the first Chromecast’s debut over a decade ago. It provided a seamless way to initiate video playback on a larger screen directly from a mobile device, which was especially useful for gadgets lacking a dedicated remote or interface. However, the streaming landscape has evolved considerably. Modern televisions almost universally come with their own robust operating systems and pre-installed apps, and Google’s own hardware now includes full remotes and interfaces. Concurrently, Netflix has intensified its efforts to curb password sharing and limit viewing outside a primary household, making features that facilitate easy, device-agnostic streaming less aligned with its current business priorities.
This strategic shift became evident through a recent update to the Netflix Android application, which systematically removed casting capabilities for a wide array of devices. This follows a similar decision in 2019 when the company discontinued support for Apple’s AirPlay. Official support documentation now outlines the new, very narrow parameters for casting to work. First and foremost, subscribers must be on either the Standard or Premium ad-free plan, which start at $18 per month; the basic, ad-supported tier does not include casting functionality at all.
Furthermore, even for eligible subscribers, the casting option will only appear if they are using specific types of older equipment. The support is primarily for devices that rely entirely on a smartphone for control, such as early-generation Chromecast dongles (like the 3rd Gen model from 2018) and some legacy smart TVs with built-in Cast support. If your device has its own remote and a full operating system, like a Chromecast with Google TV, any Android TV, or a modern smart TV, Netflix will not offer the cast button. Instead, you will be required to open the dedicated Netflix app on that device and log in directly. This change reinforces Netflix’s ecosystem, ensuring viewing is tied to specific devices and accounts within a home, while phasing out the more open, phone-controlled casting method that was once a standard convenience.
(Source: Ars Technica)
