Netflix is testing a revamped version of its TV app, reports The Verge. This marks the first major overhaul in a decade. The new design significantly departs from the current look, offering a more modern interface with prominent content information.
Customers were reportedly struggling to find shows or movies on the home screen, leading Netflix to simplify the navigation experience. “We really wanted members to have an easier time figuring out if a title is right for them,” Netflix senior director of product Pat Flemming told The Verge.
The static tiles for TV shows and movies are being replaced with tiles that expand when selected, centralizing information like trailers and descriptions. Currently, show or movie information is displayed at the top of the screen while scrolling. The updated interface moves this information to the middle, pushing other tiles to the side.
Hovering over a title for an extended period will automatically start a short preview.
Netflix plans to replace the left-side navigation menu with a top bar menu featuring search, home, shows, movies, and My Netflix, accessible by pressing the back button on the remote. The Categories and New and Popular tabs will be removed; New and Popular will be replaced by My Netflix recommendations, and Categories will be available through the search tab.
The new design is initially being tested with a small group of subscribers, but it will be rolled out to more users in the coming months if it proves popular.