Netflix drops AirPlay support citing unnamed 'technical limitations'
For reasons unknown, Netflix recently disabled the ability to stream content from an iOS device to Apple TV using Apple's AirPlay protocol, a move that limits customer options.
Netflix debuted AirPlay support in 2013.
The change in app policy was noted in a recent update to the official Netflix Help Center webpage, which now instructs iOS device users to connect to a TV using built-in Chromecast, Netflix 2nd Screen or a physical cable.
"Airplay is no longer supported for use with Netflix due to technical limitations," according to the Netflix document.
Customers attempting to stream video content to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible device are now met with an error message.
As noted by MacRumors, which reported on the development on Friday, the abrupt end to AirPlay support is something of a curiosity.
Netflix first offered support for AirPlay in 2013 and has maintained functionality until this week. Further, the company provides user access to a standalone tvOS app, which for many makes AirPlay a redundant feature.
While not confirmed, Netflix could be shoring up content protections as major TV manufacturers begin to integrate AirPlay 2 into their respective lineups. The addition means users will no longer need an Apple TV to stream video from apps that support protocol.
At CES 2019, Samsung, Sony and Vizio each revealed upcoming TV hardware support for Apple's streaming protocol in separate announcements. Korean tech giant LG followed suit in March.
Netflix's AirPlay reversal arrives just two days after Vizio launched a beta version of its SmartCast 3 software with support for both AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.
Netflix is making efforts to silo its content, and finances, to official channels like its own iOS and tvOS apps. In November, the company stripped its iOS app of in-app subscription options, effectively avoiding App Store revenue sharing fees.
More recently, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in March said his company would not participate in a then-rumored Apple-branded subscription TV service. Apple unveiled Apple TV Channels and Apple TV+ at a special event a week later with no mention of Netflix integration.
"Apple's a great company. We want to have people watch our shows on our services," Hastings said at the time.
Netflix debuted AirPlay support in 2013.
The change in app policy was noted in a recent update to the official Netflix Help Center webpage, which now instructs iOS device users to connect to a TV using built-in Chromecast, Netflix 2nd Screen or a physical cable.
"Airplay is no longer supported for use with Netflix due to technical limitations," according to the Netflix document.
Customers attempting to stream video content to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible device are now met with an error message.
As noted by MacRumors, which reported on the development on Friday, the abrupt end to AirPlay support is something of a curiosity.
Netflix first offered support for AirPlay in 2013 and has maintained functionality until this week. Further, the company provides user access to a standalone tvOS app, which for many makes AirPlay a redundant feature.
While not confirmed, Netflix could be shoring up content protections as major TV manufacturers begin to integrate AirPlay 2 into their respective lineups. The addition means users will no longer need an Apple TV to stream video from apps that support protocol.
At CES 2019, Samsung, Sony and Vizio each revealed upcoming TV hardware support for Apple's streaming protocol in separate announcements. Korean tech giant LG followed suit in March.
Netflix's AirPlay reversal arrives just two days after Vizio launched a beta version of its SmartCast 3 software with support for both AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.
Netflix is making efforts to silo its content, and finances, to official channels like its own iOS and tvOS apps. In November, the company stripped its iOS app of in-app subscription options, effectively avoiding App Store revenue sharing fees.
More recently, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in March said his company would not participate in a then-rumored Apple-branded subscription TV service. Apple unveiled Apple TV Channels and Apple TV+ at a special event a week later with no mention of Netflix integration.
"Apple's a great company. We want to have people watch our shows on our services," Hastings said at the time.
Comments
Netflix is controlling what I do with MY subscription on MY devices.
Not right. At all.
There are no tech limitations.
Netflix streams a video. Then my iPad takes care of sending it to my big screen.
Netflix literally has to work harder to PREVENT ME from enjoying the service the way I want than to allow airplay to work.
It sucks when apple goes to awesome lengths in crafting crafting wonderful tools to enjoy life easily and then stupid decisions like this are made by every little player to further their own ends.
(2) When you do searches on Apple TV, your phone brings up a notification to let you type there (but I’ve found that to be flakey as he11)
Can’t tell if this is sarcasm because the iTunes user interface is an abomination. Content progress doesn’t sync properly (if at all) across devices, episodes don’t automatically play after the last one ends, frequent outages. The list goes on.
You should sue.