Casting Is Changing: The Future of Second-Screen Controls for Marathi Families

When the family TV becomes a battleground: the casting change and what Marathi households must know now

Hook: For many Marathi families, the living-room TV is shared territory — grandparents want reruns of classic Marathi nataks, teenagers queue up the latest BhaDiPa videos, parents look for Marathi movies and weekend documentaries. Suddenly, the easy habit of "cast from my phone" isn't as reliable as before. With major streaming services and TV makers shifting toward built-in smart TV apps and remote-first controls in 2025–2026, the way families interact with the screen is changing. That matters for device control, household digital habits, and how multiple generations share entertainment.

The evolution: why casting is losing ground in 2026

Across late 2025 and early 2026 a clear pattern emerged: platforms are moving away from treating the phone as the universal remote. A notable turning point was Netflix's decision in January 2026 to remove broad mobile-casting support for many TVs and streaming devices — a loud signal that the industry is rethinking second-screen workflows. Tech newsletters and reporting called it "casting is dead — long live casting," because while the exact form of second-screen control may change, the desire to control playback from a personal device remains strong.

Why this shift?

• App ecosystems on TVs matured: Android TV/Google TV, Fire TV, Samsung Tizen and other platforms added richer apps, profiles and local recommendations, so users no longer need a phone to start content.
• Security and account management: Platforms want to keep sign-in, profile switching and parental controls inside the TV app instead of delegating to a phone casting in as a guest controller.
• Monetization and ad models: Built-in apps can serve targeted ads and measure engagement better than a cast session.
• Fragmented device landscape: With dozens of TV brands and many streaming sticks, maintaining consistent cast support across all devices became complicated.

What this means for intergenerational Marathi households

Intergenerational households — a common arrangement in Maharashtra — have specific needs: simple controls for older adults, personal queues for younger users, and safe viewing for children. The shift from casting to app-first TV changes daily routines in five practical ways:

1. Less personal phone-to-TV control: Teenagers who used to queue the next episode from their phone must now learn the TV's app interface or tie their account to the TV.
2. More importance of TV profiles: TVs will need multiple profiles and easy switching so every family member gets personalised recommendations without logging in and out.
3. Remote becomes the shared device: The physical remote (or voice remote) becomes the primary input device; designing it to be simple and accessible becomes crucial.
4. Shared watchlists shift to accounts: Families must decide which apps and accounts to share and which to keep private, affecting watch history and recommendations.
5. Parental controls centralised on the TV: Guardians will need to learn TV-based PINs, kids modes and content filters rather than relying on phone settings.

Family scenarios: a real-world example

Consider the Patils — three generations under one roof in Pune. Grandma prefers Marathi devotional programs and old films with subtitles; Asha (mother) wants kids to watch educational shows on weekends; Rahul (son) uses the TV for gaming and Marathi web series.

When Netflix and others trimmed casting support, Rahul could no longer simply cast from his phone while his mother watched a documentary. The family had to build a new routine: create separate TV profiles, schedule viewing slots, and use the TV’s guest mode for visiting relatives. These adjustments restored harmony — but only after a short learning curve.

Actionable guide: Make your shared TV work for every generation

Below are step-by-step actions Marathi households can take today to adapt to the casting change and the rise of remote-led and app-led TV ecosystems.

1. Audit your devices and apps (30–60 minutes)

• List every TV, set-top box and streaming stick in the home (brand, model, year).
• Open each TV app store and check which major streaming apps are installed (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, ZEE5, JioCinema, SonyLIV, regional apps). Update to the latest app versions.
• Note which devices still support Google Cast, Apple AirPlay or other mirroring standards. Mark devices that only run apps.

2. Create clear, named TV profiles

Within apps that support multiple profiles, create profiles for each family member using first names and a simple icon ("Dada", "Aai", "Rahul", "Kids"). This keeps recommendations relevant and prevents accidental content exposure.

• Set a parental PIN for the Kids profile and enable kid-safe libraries.
• Use a shared "Family" profile for programs watched together (weekend films, nataks, festivals).

3. Make the TV remote friendly for elders

Not all remotes are equal. Make the shared remote simple to use:

• Assign a physical spot in the living room so older adults always know where it is.
• Enable voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, Bixby) and pair the youngest adult's phone so voice commands can be used instead of complex button combos.
• Consider a universal large-button remote for Grandma with just power, volume, channel/app shortcuts and a big home button.

4. Centralise account choices and budgets

Decide which apps use family-shared accounts and which are personal. Shared accounts reduce friction but mix viewing histories.

• Use one primary account for apps where family viewing is routine (JioCinema, ZEE5), and personal accounts for individual subscriptions.
• For paid apps, consider creating a simple household subscription tracker (shared Google Sheet) listing login emails and renewal dates.

5. Use guest modes and PINs for visiting relatives

When guests come over, use built-in guest or temporary sign-in modes where available. This keeps your family profiles intact and avoids accidental changes.

6. Leverage TV-based parental controls

Set age-based restrictions and PIN locks on the TV level (not just app level). For example, some Android TV and Fire TV settings allow system-level restrictions that block unauthorised app installs or purchases.

7. Teach quick routines (10–15 minutes weekly)

Spend one weekly family minute teaching everyone one or two remote tricks: how to switch profiles, enable subtitles in Marathi, or open the kids profile. Repetition reduces tech friction and builds new digital habits across generations.

Advanced strategies for power users and multi-TV homes

For households with multiple TVs or more complex needs, try these advanced approaches that respect privacy while keeping convenience:

• Designate device zones: Living room TV for shared content, bedroom TVs for personal accounts. Label devices physically with a sticker to avoid confusion.
• Use a networked media solution: A small NAS (network drive) can house family photos, Marathi song playlists and local videos that stream to any TV app supporting local media playback.
• Router QoS: Enable Quality-of-Service on your home router to prioritise streaming traffic when multiple streams run concurrently (useful during festivals when family watches different programs).
• Use Chromecast- or AirPlay-enabled TVs for occasional personal casting: While casting support is reduced by some services, many TVs still accept AirPlay/Chromecast for screen mirroring or supported apps. Keep at least one fallback device for Mirroring; see reviews of low-cost streaming devices to pick a reliable option.

How the streaming future will shape Marathi entertainment at home (2026 and beyond)

Three trends to watch that will affect Marathi households specifically:

1. Regional content inside TV app stores: In 2025–2026 platforms expanded regional sections and in-app discovery for Marathi films and music. Expect smarter recommendations on TV home screens that surface Marathi cinema, indie music and festival programming.
2. Companion second-screen features, not basic casting: Instead of simple cast play/pause, we’ll see richer second-screen experiences (live polls during reality shows, synced lyrics for Marathi songs, interactive subtitles). These are delivered through official TV app integrations and verified companion apps.
3. Integrated household profiles and payments: TVs will provide household management panels — one place to manage subscriptions, profiles, and parental controls — so families won’t need to juggle multiple phone logins.

What this means for creators and local Marathi producers

Producers of Marathi films, web series and music should optimise for TV-app discovery: metadata in Marathi, clear genre tags, and short promo clips tailored for TV app thumbnails. As second-screen casting recedes, creators must ensure their content is easy to find and preview directly on smart TV home pages where family decisions about what to watch are made.

Quick checklist: 12 things to do this weekend

• Update TV and streaming apps to the latest version.
• Create named profiles for each family member and a shared Family profile.
• Enable kid-safe profiles and add a parental PIN.
• Set up voice assistant on the remote and teach Grandma 2–3 voice commands.
• Decide which streaming subscriptions are shared and which are personal.
• Pin Marathi-language apps or channels to the TV home screen for one-click access.
• Label remotes and set a fixed place for them.
• Test AirPlay/Chromecast mirroring on at least one TV as a fallback.
• Backup family photos to a NAS or cloud accessible from the TV.
• Enable system-level purchase protections and disable in-app purchases for kids.
• Teach each family member how to switch profiles and find Marathi subtitles.
• Schedule a monthly "family watch" night and add the film to the Family profile watchlist.

Addressing common concerns

"If casting is disappearing, will my phone become useless for TV control?"

No. Phones remain useful — especially as companion devices for search, playback speed control, synced second-screen features and as authentication devices. But the primary playback control is moving to the TV app and remote in many cases. Embrace the phone for search and personalization, and the TV for shared control.

"Won’t multiple profiles mean paying for more subscriptions?"

Not necessarily. Profiles are usually part of the same subscription. However, if family members want separate paid accounts (for example, regional apps that limit simultaneous streams), you may need to coordinate. Use a simple shared budget plan to divide subscription costs among adults in the household.

"How do we preserve Marathi cultural viewing habits for elders?"

Pin favourite Marathi channels and apps to the TV home screen, set up a large-font interface where possible, and create a dedicated schedule (afternoon Marathi natak time). Consider a physical cheat sheet with three steps: power on — press ‘home’ — choose ‘Family/Rutite’ (pre-set channel).

Final thoughts: design your household streaming culture, don’t react to it

The shift away from simple phone casting towards integrated smart TV apps and remote-first controls is not just a technical change — it affects family routines, privacy choices and generational dynamics in Marathi households. The good news: with a few practical steps you can make your home TV a source of shared joy rather than a source of conflict.

“Casting may be changing, but the desire to share stories, songs and memories across generations is timeless.”

Call to action

Try the checklist above this weekend and tell us what worked for your family. Share your best Marathi movie night tradition or the one remote trick that saved family harmony — leave a comment, upload a short clip, or subscribe to our newsletter for step-by-step regional how‑tos. Together we’ll shape the streaming future for Marathi households.