Netflix likely killed off Google Cast support because no one’s really casting anymore - 9to5Google

Netflix has quietly ended support for Google Cast, and the timing aligns with a broader shift: far fewer people are casting video today than in the mid-2010s.

According to reporting by Janko Roettgers of Lowpass (via The Verge), casting usage has cooled significantly. Despite Google selling over 100 million Chromecast devices before introducing its TV Streamer in 2024, one streaming service operator at CES said only about 10 percent of Android users still cast content.

Why the decline? Streaming is now the default, and smart TVs and set-top boxes have matured with faster, cleaner interfaces. Browsing directly on the TV has become easier and more social, while casting is more individualized and restrictive.

Netflix has not officially explained the move, but the most plausible reason is low demand. Another angle: the company may be prioritizing phone-driven interactivity, such as game-like experiences where your smartphone acts as a controller. With Netflix available on almost every connected device, maintaining Cast for a shrinking legacy audience likely no longer made sense.

What about the future of casting? The Connectivity Standards Alliance is pushing an open protocol called Matter Casting. Adoption, however, remains limited beyond a handful of Amazon devices, and the branding has caused confusion with standard Matter smart home labels on TVs, which are not the same as Matter Casting.

What it means for you:

• Casting usage has dropped sharply since its peak years
• Only a small share of Android users still cast, per CES feedback
• Smart TV apps now deliver the simpler, preferred experience
• Netflix may invest more in interactive, phone-enhanced features
• Matter Casting exists but support and messaging remain muddled

Casting is not gone, but it is no longer central to how most people watch. If you rely on Cast, consider alternatives for Netflix. Ironically, Netflix ended Cast support around the same time Apple added casting capabilities to Apple TV, yet the overall trend suggests casting’s role is diminishing.

Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/01/16/netflix-google-cast-support-killed-reasoning/