Late final yr, seemingly out of nowhere, Netflix made the controversial transfer to take away casting from its cell app, stopping customers from sending exhibits and flicks from their smartphones to their TVs. The one gadgets spared had been older Google Chromecasts that rely completely on casting.
“Netflix not helps casting exhibits from a cell machine to most TVs and TV-streaming gadgets,” Netflix stated when it pulled the function. “You will want to make use of the distant that got here along with your TV or TV-streaming machine to navigate Netflix.”
Naturally, customers who primarily relied on casting to look at Netflix on their TVs had been upset with the change, with one Redditor on the time saying, “And identical to this, I’m unsubbing from Netflix.”
To today, Netflix has declined to touch upon the precise motive why it all of a sudden eliminated casting from its app, however due to a latest report, we could have our greatest indication but of why the streaming big pulled the plug on the function.
Based on a report from Janko Roettgers of Lowpass (by way of The Verge), Netflix could have gotten rid of casting just because its utilization was declining. This hypothesis relies on a dialog Roettgers had with a streaming service operator at CES, who advised him that solely round 10 % of Android customers had been utilizing casting on their service.
Netflix’s resolution is an outlier
Different main streaming providers nonetheless help casting, like Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max
Netflix dropping casting as a result of fewer individuals had been utilizing it would not appear completely out of the query — particularly now that most individuals watch streaming providers via the app on their sensible TV or devoted streaming machine as a substitute of casting from their telephones.
Personally, I used to solid on a regular basis from my Android telephone to my Chromecast again within the day. However after getting my first sensible TV — and later a Hearth TV Stick — casting simply by no means crossed my thoughts anymore.
That stated, loads of individuals nonetheless depend on casting. Even when it is solely round 10 % of Android customers, that is nonetheless a large group, and it is a disgrace Netflix could not hold the function round for many who nonetheless get pleasure from and rely upon it.
whereas I personally do not use casting anymore, it is nonetheless weird to me that Netflix would drop it, even when utilization has declined — particularly when all of its main rivals proceed to help it.
Roettgers additionally speculates that Netflix could have dropped casting to give attention to different phone-to-TV initiatives, like cloud gaming. In October, Netflix launched occasion video games that allow you to play in your TV whereas utilizing your telephone as a controller.
For casting followers, it is not all dangerous information, although. Whereas Netflix has dropped help, different main streaming providers nonetheless supply it, together with Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+. Apple TV, specifically, just lately expanded its casting help to incorporate Android telephones — not simply iPhones.
And whereas I personally do not use casting anymore, it is nonetheless weird to me that Netflix would drop it, even when utilization has declined — particularly when all of its main rivals proceed to help it. After elevating costs final yr, you’d suppose Netflix could be extra centered on including worth to the service, not taking options away.
