Netflix Removes Casting Feature From Most TVs
▼ Summary
– Netflix has removed the ability to cast videos from a mobile device to a TV, forcing users to control playback directly through the TV app.
– The change has drawn significant user criticism for removing a convenient feature used for browsing and for accessing accounts authenticated only on a phone.
– Netflix stated it discontinued the feature because it was not widely used, allowing the company to invest in more valuable offerings.
– Casting will still work in limited cases, such as with older devices like pre-2020 Chromecasts, but is not available on cheaper ad-supported subscription tiers.
– Users connect this change to Netflix’s broader shift toward maximizing revenue through price increases, password-sharing crackdowns, and access limitations.
Netflix has quietly removed a popular feature that allowed subscribers to cast video from their mobile phones directly to their television screens. This significant change means viewers can no longer use their smartphones as a remote control to browse, select, and play content on their TVs. Instead, the company is now prioritizing its dedicated TV applications, requiring users to interact with their television’s interface using a physical remote for all functions, including playback, volume, and subtitle controls. The move has sparked considerable frustration among the user community.
The decision was first identified by technology news outlets and has since generated widespread criticism on social platforms. Many subscribers relied on this casting functionality for sheer convenience, enjoying the ability to scroll through titles on a handheld device before sending their selection to the larger screen. Others used it as a necessary workaround, particularly when their account was only logged in on their mobile device and not on their smart TV’s app. The removal is seen by many as a step backward in user experience, stripping away a flexible and intuitive way to navigate the service.
In response to inquiries, a Netflix spokesperson explained that the feature was discontinued due to low usage rates. The company stated it periodically retires underutilized functionalities to reallocate engineering and development resources toward features that deliver greater value to the majority of its members. However, Netflix declined to provide specific data on how many people used the casting capability or detail the operational costs associated with maintaining it.
It’s important to note that casting has not been eliminated entirely, but its availability is now severely restricted. The functionality is completely absent for subscribers on Netflix’s cheaper, ad-supported plans. Even for those on premium, ad-free tiers, casting will only function with a narrow set of older devices, such as Google Chromecast models released before 2020. Modern smart TVs and streaming devices, which typically have the Netflix app pre-installed, no longer support this mobile-to-TV casting method.
This policy shift has amplified existing user grievances regarding Netflix’s evolving business strategy. Longtime subscribers note the platform’s focus has gradually moved from aggressive user growth to maximizing revenue from its existing customer base. This has been evidenced through repeated price increases, a widespread crackdown on password sharing outside households, and now, the elimination of access features like universal casting. For many, the change feels like a reduction in service quality and flexibility, forcing a more rigid and less personalized viewing experience.
(Source: Wired)
