Netflix quietly pulls the plug on millions of devices | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

Netflix has been at the center of attention over the last few months, not due to its new offerings and deal, but mostly because of the heated negotiations about the possible acquisition of Warner Bros. Discover (WBD), including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.

However, simultaneously with the takeover battle, and even earlier in 2025 before the bidding started, Netflix has made several important moves that directly affected its subscribers.

The streaming giant started 2025 by hitting a massive milestone—surpassing 300 million subscribers. Following the huge success, users were frustrated learning about price hikes across every plan:

Standard (No Ads) went from $15.59 to $17.99 (some regions saw $17.00)
Ad-Supported went from $6.99 to $7.99
Premium went from $22.99 to $24.99. Source: TheStreet.

Over the past year, Netflix also made moves that pleased the subscribers such as global language support, as the entertainment giant significantly expanded subtitle options.

The streamer also upgraded its gaming offering with smart TV gaming, allowing users to play titles like Pictionary, Tetris, Boggle, and LEGO Party directly on their TVs using their phones as controllers.

I previously covered one of the most controversial moves the streamer made recently when, in December, it quietly removed the “Cast” button for most modern devices. Netflix disabled the option for users to browse its platform on their phones and “cast” it to a newer smart TV or Chromecast with Google TV, forcing users to log into the TV app.

The move was widely seen as an effort to tighten password sharing rules, however many subscribers were frustrated and threatened to cancel service.

In the latest development, Netflix subscribers are complaining about another major change, as they lose access on certain devices.

Netflix quitely drops support for millions of PS3s and legacy smart TVs.

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Netflix silently pulls the plug on millions of devices

Starting March 2, 2026 the Netflix app will no longer be accessible on PlayStation 3, users reported on Reddit.

While Netflix has not issued a formal press release regarding the hardware sunset, the streamer began signaling the change directly to legacy users. Subscribers who have been accesing the platform on their PS3, shared on Reddit and X that they have seen the following message when trying to use the app on those 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.

Additionally, various smart TVs that are over 10 years old and older set-top boxes will also lose support for Netflix.

Devices losing Netflix support in March:

PlayStation 3
Older Smart TVs: Most models that are 10+ years old.
Specific Set-Top Boxes: Such as the BT TV Box (Z4) and BT TV Recordable Box (G4).
Older Streaming Sticks: First-generation Fire TV devices and similar hardware from around 2014. Source: Tom’s Guide, FlatPanelsHD

Many of the older devices losing support, actually lack the power to run modern streaming features like 4K or HDR.

Moreover, the PS3 doesn’t support more current formats like Dolby Vision, HDR10+ or 4K streaming. Still, many subscribers are frustrated with the news as they preferred accessing the platform on PS3 for several reasons.

Netflix subscribers react to the news of losing access on PS3

A number of Netflix users suggested on Reddit that the PS3 was one of the last options to enjoy TVs and movies originally filmed in 4:3, which means it is played without the black bars on the sides of the image that you typically get on newer TVs.

Others focused on the fact that the PS3 didn’t have the strict location-tracking or ad-supported tech found in newer versions of the app.

User Dijix009 said this is “unfortunate” news 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 overall sentiment suggests a mixture of nostalgia, frustration and resigned acceptance, as many users were surprised that the app lasted nearly 20 years.

The540Incident, the user who started the thread, said “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.

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.

More Entertainment:

Netflix bid to takeover Warner Bros. Discovery has another unexpected update

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.