Netflix Ends Casting Support for Most TVs, Devices

Netflix has discontinued support for casting video content from its mobile apps to most televisions and streaming devices, a change that took effect quietly in recent weeks and has frustrated many subscribers who relied on the feature for convenient viewing.

The update, first noticed by users in mid-November and confirmed on Netflix's help page around December 1, removes the Cast button from the app when connecting to popular hardware such as Chromecast with Google TV, the Google TV Streamer, and the majority of smart TVs equipped with built-in Google TV systems. These devices, which typically include their own remotes, no longer allow users to initiate or control playback from a smartphone or tablet. Instead, Netflix directs subscribers to open the app directly on the TV or streaming device and use the provided remote for navigation and selection.

A Netflix customer service representative explained the policy to affected users, stating that casting is disabled on devices with their own remotes to enhance the overall customer experience through more direct integration. In a separate statement to Wired, a company spokesperson noted that the platform discontinues features with low...