If it's not broken, don't fix it

Netflix faces backlash after rolling out 'its controversial app design that leaves viewers unhappy.

The streaming giant first revealed the new interface and began rolling it out globally on the app on 19 May.

Netflix promised the update would deliver 'better recommendations and an improved interface that highlights what matters most to you.'

But many found it clunky and hard to use, with some even threatening to cancel their subscription.

Now, the design has come into force on Apple TVs in the latest 3.0 version of Netflix and completes a months-long rollout that began with other TV platforms earlier this year.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is that the left-hand sidebar navigation that Netflix has used since 2018 has been replaced with a top menu bar.

The new top bar relocates key functions including Search, Home, Shows, Movies, Games, and My Netflix. Additionally, the My List and My Netflix sections have been merged in an attempt to streamline access to personal content.

When browsing content, the familiar static tiles for shows and movies have been replaced with expandable tiles. When a user hovers over a tile, the enlarged, expandable preview plays a trailer of the selected movie or TV show.

Netflix says the redesign focuses heavily on improved recommendations, promising more relevant and personalised content suggestions based on viewing history, as reported by MacRumors. The platform claims these recommendations will be more responsive to users' 'moods and interests in the moment.'

The update also introduces contextual labels like 'Recent addition' and 'No. 3 in movies' to help explain why specific content appears in recommendations.

Since the r/apple thread posted about the update, Reddit has been flooded with frustrated subscribers venting about the changes.

"I despise movie tiles that expand when you land on them. Worst design ever. Can't wait for yet another streaming service to annoy me in that way. Static tiles are way better," one user wrote.

"Nothing annoys me more than a top bar menu. Side bar is superior in every single way for navigation, and I have no idea why these streaming platforms keep changing to a top bar menu," added another Reddit comment.

"Aaaaannnnnd it’s horrible. Nice," someone else bluntly replied.

Some users have noted that Amazon Prime Video implemented similar changes, which have also been poorly received.

Adding to the frustration, other users suspect that the redesign might be a precursor to monthly price hikes, which has concerned the community.

The latest version 3.0 of the Netflix app on Apple TV requires tvOS 17 or later. Some users may need to manually update the app through the App Store to access the new interface, as the update may not appear automatically for everyone.