Netflix drops support for casting to most TVs

Have you ever tried to cast your favorite show from Netflix to your TV and found that it just won’t work? Well, it turns out that Netflix is actually behind this issue, and it’s not a glitch—it’s on purpose. The streaming service recently made changes to its Google Cast support, limiting it to only a few select devices. Even then, you’ll need to have one of Netflix’s pricier plans to use this feature, and it will only work with older TVs and streaming sticks.

Google Cast first popped up in apps back in 2013, following the launch of the original Chromecast. This feature allowed Netflix users to start watching shows on their TVs from their phones—a handy tool for those without a remote or a built-in Netflix app on their TV. But times have changed, and now most TVs come with their own Netflix apps. Netflix is also cracking down on password sharing, which is why they’ve scaled back their casting support in recent updates, following a similar move with Apple AirPlay in 2019.

If you want to cast from Netflix, you’ll need to be on one of their ad-free plans, starting at $18 per month. So, if you’re on the $8 ad-supported plan, you’re out of luck. Even for those on the higher-tier plans, casting is limited to older devices without remotes, like earlier Chromecast models and some older TVs with built-in casting capabilities. For example, if you still have a 2018 Google Chromecast, you can cast from Netflix, but if you have the 2020 Chromecast with a remote and full Android OS, you’ll have to use the TV app instead. If you’re using an Android/Google TV or a smart TV with a full Netflix app, you’ll need to log in on the TV before you can start watching.

Netflix’s decision to limit casting has not gone unnoticed, especially by frequent travelers who relied on this feature to stream content to TVs in Airbnb rentals hassle-free. Logging in and out of TVs can be a pain, and Netflix’s push for more TV app logins is all part of their strategy to curb password sharing and increase user engagement with their platform. While some subscribers are unhappy with this change, the shift away from casting support is also reflective of the evolving landscape of streaming technology, with Google focusing more on robust streaming devices rather than casting.

Overall, Netflix’s move to restrict casting may have its reasons, but the lack of a formal announcement and the inconvenience it poses to some users have left many feeling frustrated. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that convenience and accessibility are key factors for viewers, and any changes to these features won’t go unnoticed.