In early 2025, the Max streaming service is undergoing major visual changes to improve the user experience. One of the major new features is an updated navigation menu that moves content like Home, Shows, Movies, HBO or Sports from the top of the page to the left side menu. This change, which is gradually being rolled out on connected TV devices around the world, is designed to streamline content browsing. The update also includes the introduction of new "What's New" and "Categories" sections, allowing users to more easily discover new content and browse titles by genre, brand and themed collections.
The new Max interface brings several key improvements for users. The "What's New" section not only showcases the latest additions to the library, but also highlights upcoming titles and content that will soon be removed from the platform. This feature allows viewers to better plan their viewing and catch favorite shows before they go. At the same time, the "Categories" section offers thematically organized content, making it easy to browse Max's extensive catalog by specific interests or moods. These changes are part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing user satisfaction and retaining subscribers in an increasingly competitive streaming service landscape.
CNN's streaming services return
CNN earlier this year announced the revival of its own streaming service, with plans to launch a new platform that should allow viewers to watch news content on a variety of devices. The initiative comes after the failure of the previous CNN+ service, which was discontinued just a month after its launch in 2022. CNN's new CEO Mark Thompson said the new streaming product will focus on lifestyle topics and should respond to the growing demand for digital news not only in the US but also globally. CNN is trying to adapt to the changing preferences of viewers who increasingly prefer online platforms over traditional television.
As reported by The Verge, as part of this transformation, CNN is also planning a restructuring that includes laying off approximately 200 employees, but is also expected to create new jobs in areas such as data science and product engineering. Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN's parent company, is investing $70 million in a digital transformation to strengthen its newsroom and offer "quality and trusted sources of information." Thompson emphasized that the goal is to secure CNN's future as a leading news organization by focusing on platforms where viewers actually find and consume content.
(Unwanted) Apple TV News
Netflix recently inadvertently integrated its content into the Apple TV app, causing quite a stir among users. This "novelty" allowed interested parties to add Netflix originals to their watchlist and view them in the "Continue Watching" section directly in the Apple TV app. Although Netflix confirmed that this was a bug and the integration was subsequently cancelled, many speculate that this could be a hint of future collaboration between the two streaming industry giants. The move could potentially attract new Netflix subscribers, especially given Apple TV's lower share of the global streaming services market.
Meanwhile, Amazon has unveiled a major update to its Prime Video app for the same devices. The new version of the app brings six major improvements, including faster response times, improved search, and new ways to browse content. The app is now better optimized for the tvOS platform, supports touchpad gestures on the Siri remote for fast forward and rewind, and offers search suggestions as you type. In addition, the app now displays higher-resolution images, includes new motion and sound effects, and supports Apple accessibility features such as VoiceOver, Hover Text and Bold Text.
Apple TV finally on Android phones
The Apple TV app is now available on Google Play for Android mobile devices. This new feature gives Android users access to an extensive library of original Apple shows and movies, including popular titles like "Severance," "Slow Horses," "The Morning Show" and "Ted Lasso". In addition, users can access MLS Season Pass, home of Major League Soccer. The Apple TV app has long been the preserve of mobile devices running iOS.
Users of Google TV can now also subscribe to Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass directly from their devices (its price is unfortunately quite high by Czech standards). This enhancement simplifies the subscription process and access to content. The Apple TV app was originally launched for Google TV in 2021 and its extension to Android mobile devices is the next step in expanding the availability of the service. Interested parties can download the app from the Google Play Store or visit the Apple TV website.
Source: mediaguru.cz