Netflix App for iOS No Longer Supports AirPlay Because of 'Technical Limitations' [Updated With Netflix Statement]

[NervousFish2]

"We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use. With AirPlay support rolling out to third-party devices, there isn't a way for us to distinguish between devices (what is an Apple TV vs. what isn't) or certify these experiences. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue Netflix AirPlay support to ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met. Members can continue to access Netflix on the built-in app across Apple TV and other devices."

This is some BS. Its Netflix seeing a threat from the new Apple TV app. Which is kind of a joke, as its likely gonna be a long time before Apple would present any realistic threat to Netflix.

But its also yet another indication that we need a serious anti-trust cleansing of the whole IT sector. The companies are too big. They don't use open standards. And now they want us to subscribe to proprietary feeds, which they have walled off from other streaming services. I just want to watch Star Wars and GOT on ONE service, not have to subscribe to a bunch of separate services. De-linking from the cable companies was supposed to give us MORE freedom, not less.

Illegal downloading ain't gonna go away. so long as the providers can't get over their monopolistic tendencies.

 

[Stevez67]

"We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use."

As if contacting Netflix when you have a problem with "the experience" results any improvement to the experience?

 

[falainber]

Apple is alienating more and more companies/services. They never really were good at cooperation. The end result is that their own customers will suffer.

 

[jtaylor673]

Only read a couple dozen posts so I apologize if this has already been mentioned.
I wonder if Apple stripped out user data that was previously made available to third party vendors and that is what upset Netflix?
Apple has consistently trying to prevent third parties from user data.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

My guess is Disney wanted too much for the licensing fees for the Marvel shows and Netflix just said forget it. Plus those shows were already quite expensive to make I’m sure.

No, all the Netflix Marvel shows were rated 17-Mature and Disney have said their shows go no higher than PG-13 so those (now Disney owned) shows had to go away when they unvailed their own service.

 

[ipponrg]

"We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use. With AirPlay support rolling out to third-party devices, there isn't a way for us to distinguish between devices (what is an Apple TV vs. what isn't) or certify these experiences. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue Netflix AirPlay support to ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met. Members can continue to access Netflix on the built-in app across Apple TV and other devices."

This is some BS. Its Netflix seeing a threat from the new Apple TV app. Which is kind of a joke, as its likely gonna be a long time before Apple would present any realistic threat to Netflix.

But its also yet another indication that we need a serious anti-trust cleansing of the whole IT sector. The companies are too big. They don't use open standards. And now they want us to subscribe to proprietary feeds, which they have walled off from other streaming services. I just want to watch Star Wars and GOT on ONE service, not have to subscribe to a bunch of separate services. De-linking from the cable companies was supposed to give us MORE freedom, not less.

Illegal downloading ain't gonna go away. so long as the providers can't get over their monopolistic tendencies.

What if there actually are some technical limitations?

Just like how Netflix's interactive movie (Bandersnatch) couldn't be played on Apple TV devices (probably due to the inability to dynamically adjust HLS segments on the fly), what if there are additional limitations to Airplay?

Or what if the mobile plan will "technically" cause unnecessary disruption and the numbers from Airplay don't justify continuing support for it?

 

[Baymowe335]

I only have Netflix for Better Call Saul and Brooklyn 99. They’ve gotten rid of so many movies, and now that they’re acting in such a petty way to smite Apple but also customers, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll remain one.

Netflix owns basically no content worth watching, which will be their long term problem.

 

[EugW]

No, all the Netflix Marvel shows were rated 17-Mature and Disney have said their shows go no higher than PG-13 so those (now Disney owned) shows had to go away when they unvailed their own service.

Well, Disney claimed it was Netflix's choice whether or not those shows go away. However, it's likely that Disney wanted royalties that were way too high for Netflix to stomach.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

I can share with you an example.

Say I am at work and have an Apple TV hooked up to a projector screen. The Apple TV wouldn’t be connected to any network, and thus none of its apps work. It’s there solely for airplay mirroring.

This is why I hated the YouTube redesign. Previously, I could stream YouTube from the app on my iPad to the Apple TV. Now, it simply launches the YouTube app on the Apple TV and attempts to stream from there, which naturally fails because my Apple TV has no internet access.

The only recourse for me is to either download the video clip first (using a shortcut) or load the video in safari.

And now you would have a similar issue with Netflix, and any app which goes down this route.

Remind me how competition is good for the customer again? /s

To be honest why would would Netflix give a a damn about how a handfull of Apple users use their iOS devices?

 

[Zito Abroad]

So let me get this straight. Apple plays hardball and controls everything in their walled garden, out of the best interests of their products, and we all applaud them for it. In fact, we site that as one of the reasons we buy their products. Now a company other than Apple decides to make a controlled decision in the best interest of their product, and it's despicable? And we wonder why us Apple customers are associated with herd mentality. I'm glad I've finally decided to diversify my tech products. Looking forward to a fresh mobile experience this year.

 

[ikramerica]

"We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use. With AirPlay support rolling out to third-party devices, there isn't a way for us to distinguish between devices (what is an Apple TV vs. what isn't) or certify these experiences. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue Netflix AirPlay support to ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met. Members can continue to access Netflix on the built-in app across Apple TV and other devices."

This is some BS. Its Netflix seeing a threat from the new Apple TV app. Which is kind of a joke, as its likely gonna be a long time before Apple would present any realistic threat to Netflix.

But its also yet another indication that we need a serious anti-trust cleansing of the whole IT sector. The companies are too big. They don't use open standards. And now they want us to subscribe to proprietary feeds, which they have walled off from other streaming services. I just want to watch Star Wars and GOT on ONE service, not have to subscribe to a bunch of separate services. De-linking from the cable companies was supposed to give us MORE freedom, not less.

Illegal downloading ain't gonna go away. so long as the providers can't get over their monopolistic tendencies.

All us old farts warned the young cord cutters. The entertainment industry is not going to give you more for less.

Finally, the frustration of paying $90 a month to get your TV content from one company has been replaced by the convenience of paying $100 a month to multiple companies to get your TV content from multiple places.

 

[Manzanito]

So they feel threatened by apple entering the streaming bussiness and their response is making it harder to use netflix on apple devices. Very clever.

 

[squirrellydw]

Apple is alienating more and more companies/services. They never really were good at cooperation. The end result is that their own customers will suffer.

This isn’t apples fault it has everything to do with Netflix. They even said so. Get a god damn education

 

[mrow]

Does that mean I can’t stream the audio to my HomePod anymore? Because I always do that in my bedroom. Watch on my iPad but stream the audio to my HomePod.

Haven’t looked through the whole thread to see if someone asked this already but this still works. You just select the HomePod from the control center widget instead of using the AirPlay menu within the Netflix app.

 

[cmaier]

No, all the Netflix Marvel shows were rated 17-Mature and Disney have said their shows go no higher than PG-13 so those (now Disney owned) shows had to go away when they unvailed their own service.

No, Disney will have shows higher than pg13, just not on that “channel.’
[doublepost=1554587720][/doublepost]

So let me get this straight. Apple plays hardball and controls everything in their walled garden, out of the best interests of their products, and we all applaud them for it. In fact, we site that as one of the reasons we buy their products. Now a company other than Apple decides to make a controlled decision in the best interest of their product, and it's despicable? And we wonder why us Apple customers are associated with herd mentality. I'm glad I've finally decided to diversify my tech products. Looking forward to a fresh mobile experience this year.

How is this in the best interest of their product?

 

[realtuner]

Because there's no apple logo on it I imagine..

No, but "good guess"?

Because I care about privacy/security. And those are incompatible with Googles core operating business.
[doublepost=1554587855][/doublepost]

Apple is alienating more and more companies/services. They never really were good at cooperation. The end result is that their own customers will suffer.

Did you read the article? Netflix is dropping AirPlay support, Apple isn't cancelling AirPlay for Netflix.

 

[jkichline]

I think if you read between the lines on these statements, it says:

“We are butthurt that Apple is competing with us, whaaa whaaa”

 

[John William]

The beginning of the end. Sad.

Bye-Bye Netflix !

 

[The Game 161]

No, but "good guess"?

Because I care about privacy/security. And those are incompatible with Googles core operating business.

You really don't need to worry about privacy and security through chrome cast but if you really think you at risk then wow you certainly fell for the marketing

Paying £140 or more to buy an apple TV to watch Netflix seems pointless

Just like if people really want your information and where you are then they will get it. Realistically you aren't in any real risk using Google devices.

 

[jamisonbaines]

Why would anyone use Airplay to watch Netflix? Not being snarky. Honestly curious. Seems weird.

We have no internet at our cabin so we save a few things for offline viewing and steam them to an apple TV over airplay.

Really disappointed in Netflix. Prices increasing and functionality decreasing.

 

[jkichline]

Apple is alienating more and more companies/services. They never really were good at cooperation. The end result is that their own customers will suffer.

They literally just made their AirPlay protocol available to be licensed into smart TV and every other product. They are cooperating. It’s Netflix that’s acting like a child.

 

[ecschwarz]

As others have said, the edge cases exist and are handy (I will AirPlay to my dad's Apple TV when visiting, but don't want to leave Netflix credentials on the device and also use it on our Apple TVs at work and hotels). I would think that AirPlaying video should just work if it's playable on an iOS device, but Netflix's "technical limitations" and "certification" concerns are some sort of BS. How many video-enabled web sites can you AirPlay without having any sort of "certification" or special tech engineering behind the scenes?

I suspect the reasons Netflix did this are either because of a mobile-only subscription or because this new crop of AirPlay-enabled TVs make it harder for them to determine what kind of device you're watching on. In the past, AirPlay video = Apple TV for Netflix's usage tracking. Now, AirPlay video = Apple TV or many smart TVs. They can't tell what's an LG or Vizio or Samsung and would rather force you into the Netflix app on those TVs.

 

[mkldev]

I don’t think I have ever used AirPlay for Netflix. There wasn’t much need considering all my devices already included Netflix, including my phones, tablets, smart TVs, consoles, Blu-ray players, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, other media streamers, and computers.

I've never used it because it has never actually worked in any of the situations where I wanted to use it. Literally the only reason I ever wanted to use AirPlay is to use Netflix on my cell phone, which has unlimited data, to play content on my Apple laptop, which would be subject to my tethering data cap. And because either Netflix or Apple (not sure which) locks down their AirPlay support in ways that make it only work with an Apple TV and not work over the tethering Wi-Fi interface, that doesn't work. (It used to work a few years back.)

Every other situation I can think of would be better served by using the Netflix website or Netflix app on whatever device supports AirPlay.

 

[Saturnine]

I like Netflix. They make a lot of great shows and movies at a decent monthly price. I find their service reliable, quick and vastly improved since a few years ago.

I’ve just read their statement about why they’re discontinuing AirPlay support (which I rarely use and won’t miss) and I can safely say it’s a load of BS. Why do big companies think it’s okay to shower their customers with utter bollocks when it suits them?

 

[Solomani]

"We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use. With AirPlay support rolling out to third-party devices, there isn't a way for us to distinguish between devices (what is an Apple TV vs. what isn't) or certify these experiences. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue Netflix AirPlay support to ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met. Members can continue to access Netflix on the built-in app across Apple TV and other devices."

This is some BS. Its Netflix seeing a threat from the new Apple TV app. Which is kind of a joke, as its likely gonna be a long time before Apple would present any realistic threat to Netflix.

I agree with you that the Netflix excuse (regarding AirPlay) is total BS.

I disagree with you on the second point. Netflix really is threatened by Apple's move into video/movie streaming. Gonna be a long time until Apple presents a realistic threat? Umm, they said the same exact thing about Spotify and Apple, that Apple could never catch up to Spotify's lead. Guess what? Apple Music just (a few days ago) surpassed Spotify, when Spotify once was the unrivaled king of music streaming.
[doublepost=1554589522][/doublepost]Netflix alienating their customers….. is exactly what will drive more people to check out the competition (e.g. Apple's new AppleTV+ video-streaming service, etc).

A poor strategic move on Netflix's part.