Alternatives to Casting: How Creators Can Get Their Content on TV Without Netflix’s Feature

Hook: Your smartphone used to beam your latest edit to a theatre‑style screen in seconds. Now Netflix’s sudden removal of mobile casting in early 2026 has left creators scrambling for reliable ways to show work at events, screenings and sponsored viewings. This guide gives a practical, technical toolkit so you can get content on big screens without relying on a single streaming provider.

Context: In January 2026 Netflix removed broad mobile casting support, limiting casting to a small set of legacy devices and smart TVs. That change exposed a key vulnerability for creators who relied on pop‑ups, live viewings and promotional screenings. The industry response through late 2025 and early 2026 has accelerated alternatives — from native smart TV apps to robust cloud playback pipelines — and creators need tactics, not theory.

Executive summary — What to use now

If you need to show content on a big screen today, start with these options in order of reliability for events:

1. Direct app playback on the TV or streaming device (install your platform’s app on the TV/box and log in or use an event account)
2. Wired HDMI output from laptop or mobile using an adapter — the most universally compatible, lowest‑latency approach
3. AirPlay 2 to Apple TV or AirPlay‑enabled smart TVs for iOS/macOS users
4. Wireless HDMI transmitters or screen mirroring (Miracast) for Android/Windows where AirPlay isn’t available
5. Cloud playback + native smart TV/web apps for scale, DRM control and sponsor integration

Why casting changes matter to creators in 2026

Streaming platforms are consolidating playback control and prioritising their native apps and DRM ecosystems. Netflix’s casting policy shift in early 2026 reinforced this trend: fewer ‘second‑screen’ control pathways and more locked ecosystems. Creators who depend on ad hoc casting for screenings must adopt resilient technical workflows that don’t hinge on a single vendor’s mobile app behavior.

"Casting is dead. Long live casting!" — industry observers after Netflix’s January 2026 change, signalling a shift from open casting to platform‑led playback.

Detailed toolkit: Methods, when to use them, and setup steps

1) Direct app playback on TVs and streaming boxes (best for sponsor screenings)

When to use: Scheduled sponsored screenings, ticketed events, private viewings where you can control the device and network.

Why it’s reliable: Running the native app on the target TV or streaming box avoids casting altogether and preserves DRM, subtitles and 4K/HDR streams where available.

How to set up:

• Confirm the TV or streaming device supports the app (Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).
• Create a dedicated event account or temporary login. Avoid using your personal profile to prevent interruptions.
• Install or update the app ahead of the event and test playback with the exact file or stream URL.
• For sponsor overlays or ad inserts, use platforms that support server‑side ad insertion (SSAI) or embed sponsor slides locally on the device.

2) AirPlay 2 (for Apple users)

When to use: Small to medium events with mostly iPhone/iPad/macOS devices. Fast for creators who produce from Apple ecosystems.

Why it’s reliable: AirPlay 2 is widely supported on Apple TV and many 2024–2026 smart TV models. It preserves video and audio quality, and supports multiroom audio if needed.

Setup checklist:

• Ensure the Apple TV (or AirPlay‑enabled TV) is running the latest tvOS or firmware.
• Connect both devices to the same local network. For events, use a dedicated event Wi‑Fi or wired Ethernet for the TV if possible.
• From iPhone: open Control Centre > Screen Mirroring > select Apple TV. From macOS: use the AirPlay icon in menu bar.
• Test captions and audio routing (AirPlay often falls back to stereo; for multi‑channel audio use Apple TV with HDMI to AV receivers).

3) Wired HDMI output (the most universal method)

When to use: Any event that requires stability: premieres, press screenings, panel events, broadcast‑quality playback.

Why it’s reliable: Wired HDMI bypasses network issues, avoids DRM differences from casting, and guarantees sync and full bitrate. It’s the fallback for production crews.

Required gear:

• Laptop with HDMI output or a modern USB‑C port.
• High‑quality USB‑C/Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter or Lightning Digital AV adapter for iOS devices.
• HDMI cables rated for your resolution — use High Speed for 1080p, HDMI 2.0/2.1 cables for 4K60 and HDR.
• Optional: HDMI switcher or matrix for multi‑source events, and an audio extractor if the venue needs separate PA feed.

Setup tips: Always bring adapters, a spare laptop, and a small HDMI switch. Test on the venue’s projector/TV at the same resolution and set the display to match the source framerate to avoid judder.

4) Wireless HDMI transmitters and Miracast (for Android and Windows)

When to use: Events where network constraints make Wi‑Fi streaming unreliable, or when AirPlay isn’t an option.

What to look for in 2026 models: Low latency (<50ms), robust 60m+ line‑of‑sight range, support for 1080p/4K if needed, and USB‑C power options.

How to deploy:

• Plug transmitter into attendee laptop or source device USB‑C/HDMI. Plug receiver into the TV’s HDMI.
• Pair devices ahead of showtime. Lock transmitter channels if multiple setups run side‑by‑side to avoid RF interference.
• Keep HDMI handshake issues in mind—power cycle transmitter if receiver shows no signal.

For hands-on hardware and mobility reviews see our field Pop‑Up Streaming & Drop Kits guide.

5) Cloud playback and native smart TV apps (scale and monetization)

When to use: Branded premieres, paywalled screenings, or geographically dispersed watch parties.

Why creators are moving here in 2026: Cloud playback enables consistent streams to smart TV apps, supports DRM, and offers analytics and monetization out of the box. The last year has seen growth in platforms that offer native TV apps, low‑latency WebRTC playback and built‑in ticketing.

Platforms and approaches:

• Use Vimeo OTT, Uscreen or Brightcove for paywalled on‑demand screening with native apps and embeddable players.
• For live events, WebRTC-based services (StreamYard, Wowza’s low‑latency options) provide near‑real‑time interaction and native app delivery.
• Host the file on a CDN and point the smart TV’s browser or a lightweight native app at it — this avoids casting and keeps playback native to the TV.

Implementation steps: Upload content to a platform that supports Smart TV SDKs or create a private app. Use SSAI for sponsor ads and integrate analytics to demonstrate ROI to partners.

6) Local server playback (Plex, Jellyfin, DLNA) for in‑venue libraries

When to use: Community screenings, festivals, pop‑ups with offline or high‑bitrate files.

How it works: Host files on a laptop or mini‑PC running Plex or Jellyfin, connect the server to venue LAN or use direct HDMI. Smart TVs and streaming boxes can connect to the server and play locally. See the Pop‑Up Streaming & Drop Kits field guide for local-server tips.

Pros and cons:

• Pros: Full control of files, no Internet needed, supports high bitrates and subtitles.
• Cons: Requires technical setup, and DRM‑restricted commercial content may not play correctly.

7) Capture cards & production switchers (for hybrid and multi‑camera events)

When to use: Festival screenings with Q&A, hybrid events with presenters, or sponsored multi‑format viewings requiring overlays and camera cuts.

How to set up: Use an HDMI capture device (Elgato, Blackmagic, 2025–26 newer models) to ingest devices into OBS, vMix or hardware switcher. From there, output to the venue projector (via HDMI) or stream to cloud platforms. For recommended workstation setups and capture gear, see our Streamer Workstations 2026 roundup.

Event‑grade checklist: Pre‑show testing and redundancy (don't skip)

• Test the exact playback chain on the venue screen at least 24 hours before the event — follow smart pop‑ups electrical ops guidance.
• Bring two source devices (e.g., laptop + tablet) with the same file and login credentials.
• Pack spare adapters, HDMI cables, a small HDMI switch, and a battery‑backed USB power bank for wireless transmitters.
• Confirm network limitations; use wired Ethernet where possible for smart TV and streaming boxes.
• Check audio routing: TV speakers vs. PA system. Use an audio extractor or direct feed to the mixer as needed.
• Verify captions and multiple audio tracks when accessibility is required.
• Have a failover plan: if app playback fails, switch to wired HDMI and play the local file.

Legal and rights considerations for screenings and sponsored viewings

Even if you can technically connect a phone to a screen, licensing remains critical. Public performance rights (PPR) may be required for ticketed or public viewings of third‑party content. When working with sponsors, document usage rights and how ads or sponsor messages will be inserted. When you own the content, ensure any platform used supports the resolution/codec and that you comply with DRM if distributing paid content.

2026 tech trends that affect big‑screen playback

• Broader TV support for AV1 decoding: More TVs in 2024–2026 added hardware AV1 support, enabling better compression at higher quality for cloud delivery. (See NextStream Cloud Platform Review for AV1 performance notes.)
• Smart TV app ecosystems matured: By 2025, many creators can publish lightweight apps to Tizen, webOS, Roku and Android TV — a practical path for recurring series and branded channels.
• Low‑latency WebRTC adoption in streaming services reduced interactivity lag for live sponsored screenings and watch parties in 2025–26.
• Platform consolidation: Streaming providers tightened casting and second‑screen APIs, pushing creators to native playback strategies.

Troubleshooting quick reference

• No signal on the projector: check HDMI handshake, try another cable, force lower resolution on the laptop.
• App refuses to play DRM content on a server: use native app playback on TV or cloud platform with Widevine/PlayReady support.
• Audio out of sync: toggle display refresh or use a hardware audio delay unit; prefer wired HDMI to avoid network latency.
• Wireless HDMI interference: change transmitter channel, move devices apart, or switch to wired fallback.

Recommended gear & software (practical picks for 2026)

Rather than chasing the latest model names, prioritise these capabilities:

• Streaming box or TV OS that supports native apps and frequent firmware updates (Apple TV 4K class devices, Roku/Google/Fire TVs with app stores).
• USB‑C to HDMI adapters rated for 4K60 with HDR passthrough and EDID support.
• Hardware switcher with audio embed/extract and HDMI loop‑through for multi‑source events.
• Low‑latency wireless HDMI kit for presenter mobility, with documented <50ms latency.
• Capture card (USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt) compatible with OBS for recording and hybrid streaming.
• Cloud platform with native smart TV SDK or robust HLS/DASH support and DRM if selling tickets.

Mini case studies — Real‑world setups

Community cinema pop‑up

A UK creator ran a weekend pop‑up screening in late 2025. They used a local mini‑PC running Jellyfin connected to a 4K projector via HDMI, served files locally to avoid variable venue Wi‑Fi, and routed audio to the PA with an HDMI audio extractor. Result: zero buffering, full control of captions, and lower bandwidth cost.

Sponsored premiere with remote Q&A

For a sponsored premiere in January 2026, a creator streamed the master file to Vimeo OTT with SSAI for sponsor content, used a native smart TV app on the venue device, and brought a laptop with HDMI fallback. The remote Q&A used a separate WebRTC channel to preserve stream stability.

Actionable takeaways — Quick checklist you can use now

1. Decide the primary playback method (app, HDMI, AirPlay, cloud) and a single failover option.
2. Test the entire chain on the exact venue display 24 hours before showtime.
3. Bring spare adapters, HDMI cables, and a backup local file on a second device.
4. Use cloud platforms with native TV SDKs for recurring or revenue events.
5. Document rights for any third‑party content and confirm sponsor assets are play‑ready.

Final thoughts: Embrace redundancy and platform diversity

Netflix’s 2026 casting change is a reminder that single‑vendor workflows can fail creators at crucial moments. The smart approach is layered: use native app playback when possible, keep a wired HDMI fallback, and plan for cloud delivery when you need scale and monetization. The market in 2026 supports these paths — TV OS ecosystems are stronger, low‑latency cloud playback is practical, and hardware continues to get more capable. With a compact toolkit and a tested checklist, creators can deliver professional, sponsor‑ready big‑screen experiences without relying on a single casting feature.

Downloadable checklist & next steps

Get our free one‑page event playback checklist and a sample vendor comparison sheet. Implement the checklist at your next screening and share results with our community for feedback.

Call to action: Want the checklist and a runbook customised for your next event? Subscribe to our creator toolkit newsletter at newsonline.uk and download step‑by‑step templates for setup, licensing letters, and sponsor reporting. Test one alternative this month and report back — we’ll feature the best setups in our creator case studies.

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