Netflix Sparks Outrage With Major Change for Customers

Netflix is the most popular video streaming service in the world, boasting an extensive library of shows, movies, documentaries, and specials that can be enjoyed across a multitude of devices.

The streaming service can be enjoyed on Smart TVs, streaming media players like Roku or Apple TV, gaming consoles, computers, tablets, smartphones, and even some cable boxes and Blu-ray players. However, Netflix has quietly eliminated one popular streaming option, and customers are not happy.

Netflix Removes 'Cast' Option

Netflix has long allowed users to cast what they are watching on Netflix from their phone to their TV screen.

This has been a convenient option for some customers who were more comfortable navigating the streaming service with their phone or people who had lost the remote to their TV. It has also allowed people to use Netflix while traveling in hotels and Airbnbs without having to sign in on another device.

Netflix began limiting this feature earlier this year, granting it to just those users who used the higher, ad-free tier of the subscription. However, Netflix has now completely removed the option for most customers.

While Netflix has not issued an announcement about the change, many users have found that the cast option no longer works, and Netflix has quietly updated its support page, where it indicates that the streaming service no longer supports this option.

"Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices," the Netflix support page reads. "You'll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix."

Customers Express Outrage

Naturally, this change quickly sparked outrage from customers who took to forums to voice their displeasure.

"I did not believe this at first, but sure enough I've got the same issue and if this continues, I will cancel Netflix," one customer wrote in a comment on Reddit. "Everybody with this issue should Contact Netflix and tell them you're gonna cancel unless they bring this feature back."

"Why isn’t this getting more traction? They are taking away casting. This is a massive deal for a lot of people and absolutely enrages me. I primarily watch Netflix via casting and now they are just all of a sudden taking this away?" someone else commented in the same thread.

"This sucks big time. How are people supposed to cast to hotel rooms, Airbnb and any other places besides your home?" another person added.

"I literally spent over an hour debugging this and found this thread. This is so stupid, I hate Netflix for getting rid of this," someone else wrote.

"And just like this I am unsubbing from Netflix. I tend to lose the remote but my phone is always with me. I can't imagine taking a full minute to look for an RC when I can just cast with my phone way easily," another commenter added.

"Just commenting here in the hopes that Netflix eventually realizes how customer hostile this is. Spent a bunch of time debugging trying to figure it out. You'd think if they made the change, they could say least give a heads up and explanation. Would suggest people down rate the app. I gave it 1 star for removing the function," another person wrote.

Clearly, people are not happy with this change. We'll have to see how Netflix responds.

It's worth noting that most other major streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, and Hulu still allow casting.

45 Shows and Movies Leaving Netflix

In addition to this bad news, Netflix customers will also be losing access to many high-profile titles this month.

In December, Netflix will be removing 45 different titles from its streaming library, including several high-profile shows and movies.

It’s worth making sure that your favorite show or movie is not on the list because time might be running out to watch it.