Revitalizing Casting: A New Era Begins

Taylor Keatsman

ago 1 hour

The world of casting technology is undergoing significant changes. Recently, Netflix announced it is discontinuing the casting feature on many devices. This has raised eyebrows among users and industry experts alike.

Revitalizing Casting: A New Era Begins

Netflix’s surprising move removes the ability to cast videos from its mobile app to various smart TVs and streaming devices. As of now, casting is limited to older Chromecast adapters, Nest Hub displays, and select Vizio and Compal televisions.

Historic Background on Casting

The integration of casting technology has been a journey that began around 15 years ago. In 2011, Netflix engineers explored ways to connect mobile phones with televisions. This venture led to collaboration with YouTube, resulting in the DIAL protocol—short for Discovery and Launch.

By 2012, Netflix became the first major streaming platform to introduce a casting feature. This allowed PlayStation 3 users to start video playback using their phones. Google’s Chromecast was launched a year later, adopting principles from DIAL.

Declining Usage of Casting

Initially, casting saw immense popularity, with over 100 million Chromecast devices sold. However, as smart TVs became more advanced, the demand for casting decreased. Currently, only about 10% of Android users utilize casting for their streaming.

What This Means for Netflix

Netflix has declined to provide comments on the discontinuation of casting.
The company is focusing on new capabilities, like cloud gaming and interactive features.
It appears that casting has been deprioritized in favor of these new initiatives.

New Developments in Casting Technology

While Netflix moves away from casting, other companies are embracing the technology. For instance, Apple recently added Google Cast support to its Apple TV app on Android devices.

Samsung and LG have also incorporated Google’s casting capabilities into select TV models, emphasizing the technology’s relevance in today’s market. Neha Dixit from Google stated that casting continues to be a vital part of enhancing user experience.

The Matter Casting Standard

In addition to established technologies, the Connectivity Standards Alliance is making strides with its Matter Casting protocol. This aims to provide a more open and flexible casting standard for device manufacturers and streaming services.

Amazon supports Matter Casting, focusing on developers interested in utilizing open standards.
Currently, Fire TVs and Echo Show displays are the only devices supporting this protocol.
After launching features like Matter audio casting, it’s anticipated that Matter may boost casting adoption.

Looking Ahead

The landscape of casting—including both established technologies and emerging standards—remains dynamic. Although Netflix’s recent decision limits some functionalities, the industry is evolving. Users can expect innovations that may reshape how content is cast across devices in the near future.