Netflix has replaced the built-in tvOS video player on its app for Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K with a custom player, significantly altering the viewing experience.
This change has drawn widespread criticism as it removes established features, negatively impacting user accessibility, just as Netflix has announced a price increase in the U.S.
The new player alters basic playback functionalities familiar to users. For instance, pressing back or forward on the Apple TV remote no longer skips by 10 seconds. Instead, the app pauses and displays a frame selector.
FlatpanelsHD reports that additional missing functions include auto-subtitling upon rewinding or muting, the Enhance Dialog option, and video/audio format details. The integration with iPhone and iPad Remote apps has also been eliminated.
User feedback has been largely negative. A Reddit user stated, “now it pauses and brings up the frame selector,” questioning the usability testing behind the update. Reports also indicate that 4K content is not displaying as expected, with issues such as pixelation requiring users to force close the app.
Reddit discussions reveal growing discontent, with comments suggesting that the update makes the app harder to use. One user remarked, “for me it’s like someone moved all the doorknobs in my house to the other side,” highlighting the frustration caused by these changes.
The backlash coincides with Netflix’s price hike, exacerbating user frustrations and leading to discussions about potential cancellations. One user described the update as “time to unsubscribe” bad, emphasizing the growing discontent with Netflix’s recent changes.
