One among Netflix’s finest options is gone, seemingly for this irritating cause

Late final yr, seemingly out of nowhere, Netflix made the controversial transfer to remove 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 gadget to most TVs and TV-streaming gadgets,” Netflix said when it pulled the characteristic. “You will want to make use of the distant that got here together 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 this present day, Netflix has declined to touch upon the precise cause why it immediately eliminated casting from its app, however because of a current report, we might have our greatest indication but of why the streaming large pulled the plug on the characteristic.

In response to a report from Janko Roettgers of Lowpass (through The Verge), Netflix might 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 assist casting, like Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max

Netflix dropping casting as a result of fewer individuals had been utilizing it would not appear fully out of the query — particularly now that most individuals watch streaming companies via the app on their good TV or devoted streaming gadget as an alternative of casting from their telephones.

Personally, I used to forged on a regular basis from my Android cellphone to my Chromecast again within the day. However after getting my first good TV — and later a Fireplace 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 preserve the characteristic round for individuals who nonetheless take pleasure in and rely upon it.

Roettgers additionally speculates that Netflix might have dropped casting to concentrate on 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 cellphone as a controller.

For casting followers, it isn’t all dangerous information, although. Whereas Netflix has dropped assist, different main streaming companies nonetheless provide it, together with Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+. Apple TV, specifically, not too long ago 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 rivals proceed to assist it. After raising prices last year, you’d suppose Netflix could be extra centered on including worth to the service, not taking options away.