One in all Netflix’s finest options is gone, possible for this irritating cause

Late final 12 months, seemingly out of nowhere, Netflix made the controversial transfer to remove casting from its cell app, stopping customers from sending reveals and flicks from their smartphones to their TVs. The one units spared had been older Google Chromecasts that rely completely on casting.

“Netflix now not helps casting reveals from a cell gadget to most TVs and TV-streaming units,” Netflix said when it pulled the function. “You may want to make use of the distant that got here along with your TV or TV-streaming gadget 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 similar to this, I’m unsubbing from Netflix.”

To today, Netflix has declined to touch upon the precise cause why it immediately eliminated casting from its app, however due to a current report, we could have our greatest indication but of why the streaming large pulled the plug on the function.

In response to a report from Janko Roettgers of Lowpass (through The Verge), Netflix could have gotten rid of casting just because its utilization was declining. This hypothesis is predicated on a dialog Roettgers had with a streaming service operator at CES, who instructed him that solely round 10 p.c of Android customers had been utilizing casting on their service.

Netflix’s determination is an outlier

Different main streaming companies nonetheless help casting, like Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max

Netflix dropping casting as a result of fewer individuals had been utilizing it does not appear solely out of the query — particularly now that most individuals watch streaming companies via the app on their sensible TV or devoted streaming gadget as an alternative 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 mentioned, loads of individuals nonetheless depend on casting. Even when it is solely round 10 p.c of Android customers, that is nonetheless a large group, and it is a disgrace Netflix could not maintain the function round for individuals who nonetheless take pleasure in and rely on 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 party 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 companies nonetheless supply it, together with Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+. Apple TV, specifically, lately expanded its casting support 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 opponents proceed to help it. After raising prices last year, you’d suppose Netflix can be extra centered on including worth to the service, not taking options away.