Sony Slashes Bravia TV Features for Antenna and Set-Top Box Users This May

Daily Technology

15/04/2026

Sony is set to remove several features from its recent Bravia smart TV models starting in late May 2026. The changes will primarily impact users who rely on over-the-air antennas or external set-top boxes for their television viewing, leading to a reduction in functionality and user interface elements.

Key Takeaways

Reduced TV guide functionality for antenna users, potentially showing only recently watched channels and lacking program information.
Removal of channel logos and thumbnail images in program descriptions for antenna-fed content.
Replacement of the dedicated set-top box menu with a simplified "control menu," expected to offer fewer features.
Elimination of thumbnail images for programs within the TV menu and the Google TV operating system's integrated guide.

Impact on Antenna Users

Beginning in late May 2026, users of affected Bravia models who receive channels via an antenna will experience a diminished TV guide. Program information may become unavailable for certain channels, and the guide might only display content from recently watched channels. Furthermore, channel logos and thumbnail images within program descriptions will no longer be visible for antenna-delivered content.

Changes for Set-Top Box Users

Sony is also altering the user experience for those utilizing set-top boxes. The dedicated menu previously available for these users will be replaced by a more streamlined "control menu." While this might result in a less cluttered interface, it is anticipated to come with a reduction in available functionalities.

Broader Interface Modifications

Beyond specific user groups, the TV menu on affected models will no longer display thumbnail images for programs. This extends to the TV guide integrated within the Google TV operating system. This guide, which aggregates content from antennas, free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels, and other live streaming services, will lose its preview images, potentially making it harder to quickly identify shows and movies.

Affected Bravia Models

The following Sony Bravia TV models will be subject to these feature reductions:

2025 Models: Bravia 8 II (XR80M2), Bravia 5 (XR50)
2024 Models: Bravia 9 (XR90), Bravia 8 (XR80), Bravia 7 (XR70)
2023 Models: Bravia A95L series

Sony has issued a statement acknowledging the changes, stating, "We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Potential Reasons for the Changes

Sony has not provided a specific reason for these feature removals. However, it is speculated that the company may be reallocating resources towards features more commonly used by the majority of its user base. While the use of antennas and traditional set-top boxes has declined in favor of on-demand streaming services, a significant portion of consumers still rely on these methods. Surveys indicate that a notable percentage of households continue to use antennas for television reception, and a considerable number consider a set-top box their primary device for watching TV.

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