Netflix is bringing some major changes to the way the app looks on smart TVs and streaming devices. The homepage on the Netflix app for select smart TVs, Apple TV 4K, and Google Chromecast is getting a massive redesign, which notably does away with the notorious sidebar. Instead of tiles that you need to click, simply hovering or scrolling over with your remote will pull up more details on titles, hopefully making things a little easier to quicker to get around. The new look for the app is already in testing with some users, and could roll out more widely in the coming months.
Some of the things previously seen in the sidebar are now part of a My Netflix tab, including your personalised My List, categories, and 'Continue watching' row. You also won't need to scroll around as much, with a press of the back button on your remote.
This is obviously a trial, and big changes to the UI often come across as jarring to users who might be used to things being a certain way and will take a while to get used to a new look. Netflix is hopeful of the new look working out well, after which it will be rolled out to most - if not all - users on the supported platforms. Obviously the Netflix app on smartphones and tablets is different, and this won't really impact that experience in any way.