Skip to main content

Dongle deal demise: Chromecast-Netflix promotion ends following ‘overwhelming demand’

Google Chromecast streaming video
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Since Google launched its Chromecast gadget Wednesday it seems every man and his dog, along with his cat and his goldfish, wants to get hold of the device.

Recommended Videos

The dongle, which lets people stream video, photos and music from their smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop to their living room TV, has created a real stir since it was unveiled at a special event hosted by Google’s Sundar Pichai in San Francisco earlier this week.

With its $35 price tag and a special offer of a free three-month subscription for Netflix’s video streaming service, consumers wasted little time in jumping online to order the device.

Ah, yes, about that Netflix deal – it’s done. Finito.

“Due to overwhelming demand for Chromecast devices since launch, the 3-month Netflix promotion (which was available in limited quantities) is no longer available,” Google told the LA Times on Thursday.

Now, if you’re someone who ordered the dongle before the end of the Netflix deal and you’ve yet to receive Google’s gadget, fear not. According to the LA Times, Google has stated that anyone in this position can still redeem their Netflix promotion code for three free months of the service.

Chromecast is being sold via the Google Play store, Amazon, and Best Buy….or was. At the time of writing, Google Play is showing a shipping time of three to four weeks, while both Amazon and Best Buy list it as sold out with no information offered as to when its stock might be replenished. However, for those itching to get their hands on the Mountain View company’s new device, there is hope – the LA Times says it’ll be available at Best Buy stores from this Sunday, though we guess you’ll have to get there early to ensure you don’t leave the store dongleless.

Meanwhile, if this whole Google Chromecast thingymajiggly has somehow passed you by and you want in, hop over to here for an informative overview from DT’s Jennifer Bergen.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Upgrade to this Alienware 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor while it’s $300 off
Cyberpunk 2077 being played on the Alienware 32 QD-OLED.

The powerful machine you purchased from gaming PC deals should be paired with a premium display, and the 32-inch Alienware 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor comes with our stamp of approval. It's also on sale from Dell right now, with a $300 discount slashing its price from $1,200 to only $900. That's a steal when you consider the capabilities of this screen, so you're going to have to hurry with your purchase as stocks may run out at any moment.

Why you should buy the 32-inch Alienware 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor

Read more
Living without antivirus? Grab Avast Premium while it’s 70% off
A couple on a couch using a tablet.

I've been using the free version of Avast antivirus software for well over a decade now. It's always among the first batch of downloads I grab when I get a new laptop. Our reviewers even gave Avast One for Mac a 9 out of 10 review. But this week, Avast has a compelling offer that will convince freeloaders like me to get the paid version of Avast.

Right now, Avast Premium has an incredible 70% discount. That drops the price of one device from $80 per year to $23.40, or just under $2 per month. If you want to cover 10 devices, the price is only slightly higher, at $30 per year, or $2.50 per month. If you've been using the free version of Avast for a while, or you haven't been using antivirus software at all, this is a deal you need to check out.

Read more
Why macOS Tahoe is a big deal for Intel Macs
Apple unveiling macOS Tahoe at WWDC 2025.

Apple’s WWDC event kicked off on Monday with the usual slew of fresh announcements and updates showcasing the company’s software plans for the year ahead.

And as with every WWDC keynote, the upcoming shift to new software also signaled diminishing support for older Apple devices.

Read more