Netflix Ditches Casting: What's Next?

Last month, Netflix largely removed the Google Cast technology from its applications, impacting the ability to stream content to Chromecast devices. While Netflix has not officially commented, an industry representative at CES 2026 suggested that only approximately 10% of Android users on certain streaming services utilized casting features. This low adoption rate may explain Netflix's decision to phase out the functionality for most users and modern hardware.

Speculation suggests Netflix aimed to focus resources on emerging features such as cloud gaming and interactive voting, deeming the continued support for casting too complex. Despite the removal, some users with older Chromecasts or non-ad-supported plans may still find the feature available. However, the shift marks a significant change in how users can access content on larger screens.

Google maintains its commitment to the Google Cast experience, with an executive promising future developments this year. Meanwhile, other services like Apple have integrated Google Cast support into their Android applications. The future of casting technology may also be influenced by emerging standards like Matter Casting, currently under development with industry backing.