Sony is set to remove several key features for antenna and set-top box users on its recent Bravia smart TV models starting in late May 2026, according to a report from Ars Technica.
Users relying on over-the-air antennas will see a significantly reduced TV guide. According to a Sony support page spotted by Cord Cutters News, program information may fail to appear depending on the channel, and the guide will only display programs from recently watched channels.
The update also eliminates channel logos and thumbnail images within program descriptions for antenna-delivered channels. This change extends to the broader Google TV operating system interface, where the integrated guide will no longer show preview images for aggregated content.
Reduced functionality for hardware users
For those using external hardware, Sony is replacing the dedicated menu for set-top box users with a simplified "control menu." While this change may result in a less cluttered interface, the outlet reported it is expected to lead to fewer available functionalities.
The following TV models are affected by the upcoming changes:
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 not provided a specific reason for the removal of these features. In a statement on its support page, the company noted, “We appreciate your downloading your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Industry trends suggest a shift toward streaming services might be driving the decision. A 2025 survey by Horowitz Research found that only 19 percent of 2,200 US adults still rely on traditional hardware like antennas and set-top boxes, as on-demand streaming continues to dominate the market.