Netflix has been on the focal point over the previous few months, not resulting from its new choices and deal, however principally due to the heated negotiations concerning the doable acquisition of Warner Bros. Uncover (WBD), together with its movie and tv studios, HBO Max and HBO.
Nonetheless, concurrently with the takeover battle, and even earlier in 2025 earlier than the bidding began, Netflix has made a number of necessary strikes that instantly affected its subscribers.
The streaming big began 2025 by hitting an enormous milestone—surpassing 300 million subscribers. Following the large success, customers had been pissed off studying about worth hikes throughout each plan:
- Customary (No Advertisements) went from $15.59 to $17.99 (some areas noticed $17.00)
- Advert-Supported went from $6.99 to $7.99
- Premium went from $22.99 to $24.99.
Supply: TheStreet.
Over the previous 12 months, Netflix additionally made strikes that happy the subscribers comparable to international language help, because the leisure big considerably expanded subtitle choices.
The streamer additionally upgraded its gaming providing with sensible TV gaming, permitting customers to play titles like Pictionary, Tetris, Boggle, and LEGO Celebration instantly on their TVs utilizing their telephones as controllers.
I beforehand coated some of the controversial strikes the streamer made not too long ago when, in December, it quietly eliminated the “Cast” button for many fashionable gadgets. Netflix disabled the choice for customers to browse its platform on their telephones and “cast” it to a more recent sensible TV or Chromecast with Google TV, forcing customers to log into the TV app.
The transfer was broadly seen as an effort to tighten password sharing guidelines, nevertheless many subscribers had been pissed off and threatened to cancel service.
Within the newest growth, Netflix subscribers are complaining about one other main change, as they lose entry on sure gadgets.
Netflix quitely drops help for tens of millions of PS3s and legacy sensible TVs.
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Netflix silently pulls the plug on tens of millions of gadgets
Beginning March 2, 2026 the Netflix app will not be accessible on PlayStation 3, customers reported on Reddit.
Whereas Netflix has not issued a proper press launch concerning the {hardware} sundown, the streamer started signaling the change on to legacy customers. Subscribers who’ve been accesing the platform on their PS3, shared on Reddit and X that they’ve seen the next message when making an attempt to make use of the app on these 20-year-old consoles.
“Unfortunately, Netflix will no longer be available on this device after March 2, 2026. Visit netflix.com/compatibledevices to see a list of supported devices. (R40),” the message reads.
Moreover, numerous sensible TVs which can be over 10 years outdated and older set-top bins may even lose help for Netflix.
Units shedding Netflix help in March:
- PlayStation 3
- Older Good TVs: Most fashions which can be 10+ years outdated.
- Particular Set-High Containers: Such because the BT TV Field (Z4) and BT TV Recordable Field (G4).
- Older Streaming Sticks: First-generation Hearth TV gadgets and related {hardware} from round 2014.
Supply: Tom’s Information, FlatPanelsHD
Most of the older gadgets shedding help, really lack the facility to run fashionable streaming options like 4K or HDR.
Furthermore, the PS3 doesn’t help extra present codecs like Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+ or 4K streaming. Nonetheless, many subscribers are pissed off with the information as they most popular accessing the platform on PS3 for a number of causes.
Netflix subscribers react to the information of shedding entry on PS3
A variety of Netflix customers prompt on Reddit that the PS3 was one of many final choices to take pleasure in TVs and films initially filmed in 4:3, which suggests it’s performed with out the black bars on the perimeters of the picture that you simply usually get on newer TVs.
Others targeted on the truth that the PS3 didn’t have the strict location-tracking or ad-supported tech present in newer variations of the app.
Consumer Dijix009 stated that is “unfortunate” information as “Netflix on ps3 was tthe only way I could still share Netflix to my dad even though we live in different country. No ads and no location service made the PS3 the perfect way to watch Netflix.”
The general sentiment suggests a combination of nostalgia, frustration and resigned acceptance, as many customers had been stunned that the app lasted almost 20 years.
The540Incident, the person who began the thread, stated “quite a run it has been! surprised it lasted this long, it’s also one of the few ways to view Netflix in 4:3 natively. Since PS3 never had ads I suppose Netflix never liked that.”
Some subscribers suggest those who still use Netflix on PS3 and are displeased with the news should cancel their subscription and “vote with your wallet,” arguing that the streamer will feel the impact if enough subscribers drop the service.
Related: Netflix customers angry over cancellation news
Other options for Netflix subscribers with the PS3
Some users such as lambsinatrenchcoat expressed disappointment saying “all our tech is ancient cuz we’re broke so we don’t have those new fangled smart TVs.”
However, buying a new expensive smart TV now is not the only option for those kinds of users to continue watching Netflix. Subscribers who still use one of the above mentioned devices don’t necessarily need to to buy a brand new TV. Tom’s Guide’s Scott Younker suggests other options to upgrade:
- Modern consoles: PS4, PS5, or Xbox Series X/S.
- Budget streaming sticks: Devices like the Roku Streaming Stick or Amazon Fire Stick are often under $50.
- Premium boxes: The Apple TV 4K or Google TV Streamer offer faster interfaces if you’re willing to spend a bit more.
“If you’re like me and have a couple of “dumb” TVs still in use, the best streaming devices can be had for relatively cheap. Yes, the Google TV Streamer and Apple TV 4K will set you back at least $100 but I use the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and it’s only $40 and regularly goes on sale,” Younker points out.
How many users could be affected?
Netflix remains the biggest subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) provider by number of subscribers, with more than 325 million paid users, according to its official Q4 2025 shareholder letter.
Sony sold more than 87 million PlayStation 3 consoles worldwide during the device’s lifecycle. While Netflix has not disclosed how many subscribers still stream via the PS3, even a small fraction of that installed base would represent a meaningful number of viewers.
When combined with Smart TVs from 2012-2015 (Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic) users who might be using these devices as secondary TVs (in guest rooms, kitchens or by students), and 1st-gen Fire TV devices the total number of impacted viewers likely reaches well into the millions.
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Meanwhile, Paramount and Netflix have been competing in a bidding war to take over the legendary media conglomerate behind many of the best cinematography achievements such as “Casablanca,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” and more.
In December 2025, Netflix announced an agreement to acquire WBD’s film/TV studio and HBO/HBO Max, and on January 20, 2026, it switched its offer to all-cash to speed up the deal and avoid stock market fluctuations.
On February 3, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to investigate if this merger would create a monopoly.
On February 17, in a regulatory filing, Warner said it had received a waiver from Netflix to reopen talks with Paramount until February 24 and hear the company’s “best and final” offer.
During an interview on FOX Business Network’s The Claman Countdown, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos explained why they issued a waiver, saying that the company is “very confident in the bid” it has.
“So confident that we wanted to make sure that we could deliver to Warner Brothers Discovery shareholders absolute confidence and certainty about this deal. If there’s another deal floating out there, take the seven days and better understand it. And then come back and let’s get this thing done. The market doesn’t like uncertainty. The industry cannot grow in — with a lot of uncertainty. And we want to grow this business,” Sarandos said.
Several days later, Paramount said it has complied with the US Justice Department’s second-request review process, which doesn’t fully confirm that regulators are on board with the deal, reported Bloomberg.
While the bidding war doesn’t seem to be nearing its end, Netflix is continuing to simultaneously work on its offerings and service upgrades, or in this case, device cancellations, constantly pleasing and frustrating its subscribers.
Associated: Netflix chief drops harsh actuality verify for anxious subscribers
