Certainly one of Netflix’s finest options is gone, probably 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 have 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 said when it pulled the function. “You may want to make use of the distant that got here together with your TV or TV-streaming machine to navigate Netflix.”

Naturally, customers who primarily relied on casting to observe 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 at the present time, Netflix has declined to touch upon the precise cause why it all of the sudden eliminated casting from its app, however due to a latest report, we might 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 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 advised him that solely round 10 p.c of Android customers have been utilizing casting on their service.

Netflix’s determination 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 individuals have been utilizing it does not appear totally out of the query — particularly now that most individuals watch streaming providers by the app on their sensible TV or devoted streaming machine as a substitute 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 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 p.c of Android customers, that is nonetheless a large group, and it is a disgrace Netflix could not preserve the function round for many who nonetheless get pleasure from and depend upon it.

Roettgers additionally speculates that Netflix might 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 cellphone as a controller.

For casting followers, it isn’t 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 opponents proceed to assist it. After raising prices last year, you’d suppose Netflix can be extra targeted on including worth to the service, not taking options away.