One among Netflix’s finest options is gone, probably for this irritating motive

Late final 12 months, 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 units spared have been older Google Chromecasts that rely completely on casting.

“Netflix not helps casting exhibits from a cell gadget to most TVs and TV-streaming units,” Netflix said when it pulled the characteristic. “You may 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 have 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 motive why it immediately eliminated casting from its app, however because of a latest report, we might have our greatest indication but of why the streaming big pulled the plug on the characteristic.

In accordance with 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 have been utilizing casting on their service.

Netflix’s choice is an outlier

Different main streaming providers nonetheless assist casting, like Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max

Netflix dropping casting as a result of fewer folks have been utilizing it does not appear completely out of the query — particularly now that most individuals watch streaming providers by the app on their sensible TV or devoted streaming gadget 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 mentioned, loads of folks 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 hold the characteristic round for individuals who nonetheless take pleasure in and depend upon it.

Roettgers additionally speculates that Netflix might have dropped casting to deal with 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 unhealthy information, although. Whereas Netflix has dropped assist, different main streaming providers nonetheless supply it, together with Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+. Apple TV, particularly, just 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 rivals proceed to assist it. After raising prices last year, you’d assume Netflix could be extra targeted on including worth to the service, not taking options away.