Sony killing features for antenna, set-top box users of Bravia smart TVs in May
8 hours ago
- #Smart TVs
- #Sony
- #Features Removal
- Sony is removing certain features from select Bravia smart TV models (2023-2025) starting late May 2026.
- For antenna users, features being removed include a reduced TV guide, missing program information and channel logos, and no thumbnail images in program descriptions.
- Set-top box users will see a replacement of the dedicated menu with a 'control menu', leading to fewer functionalities.
- Thumbnail images for programs will no longer appear in the TV guide integrated into the Google TV OS, affecting content from antennas, FAST channels, and live streaming services.
- Sony has not provided an explanation for these changes, but speculation includes reallocating resources due to declining use of antennas and set-top boxes in favor of streaming.
- Despite the decline, surveys indicate that a significant portion of users still rely on antennas (19% in a 2025 US survey) and set-top boxes (26% in a 2024 US survey).