Sony killing features for antenna, set-top box users of Bravia smart TVs in May

Sony is set to implement changes to its Bravia smart TVs starting in late May 2026, impacting users who rely on antennas or set-top boxes for their television viewing. According to information found on the company's support page, those utilizing an antenna will experience a significantly reduced TV guide. Specifically, program listings may not appear for certain channels, and only recently watched channels will be accessible. Additionally, users will notice the absence of channel logos and thumbnail images in program descriptions for antenna-delivered content. For set-top box users, the dedicated menu will be replaced with a new 'control menu.' While this transition is intended to simplify navigation, it may also result in a loss of some functionalities that users have come to expect. Another notable change is that the integrated TV menu will no longer display thumbnail images for programs, which is crucial for viewers trying to identify shows and movies easily. This update affects the Google TV operating system, which aggregates content from antennas, ad-supported streaming services, and live streaming channels. In a statement, Sony expressed appreciation for user understanding and apologized for any inconvenience these changes may cause, though they did not clarify the reasoning behind the decision. Industry speculation suggests that the company might be reallocating resources to enhance features that are more widely used, particularly as the popularity of antennas and set-top boxes has diminished in favor of on-demand streaming options. Despite the decline in use, a 2025 survey indicated that 19% of U.S. adults still utilize antennas, while a 2024 study found that 26% of broadband-connected viewers aged 16 to 74 consider set-top boxes their primary device for television viewing.