Netflix's Potential Platform Change Sparks Major Backlash
Netflix is still thriving in many areas, but the streaming giant has seen a decline in one key area: subscriber engagement.
That has led the company's top executives to propose what could be another major change to the platform, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Netflix Considering Live Channels
Executives have begun discussions about potentially adding live TV channels to increase the amount of time subscribers spend on the platform.
The channels would continuously stream programs, shows, and genre-specific movies, which could reduce the need for users to endlessly scroll while trying to find something to watch.
While it's an understandable move, especially as other services like Tubi, The Roku Channel, Prime Video, and Apple TV have found success with similar features, the potential change has sparked backlash among subscribers. Many feel it resembles the traditional cable TV experience - something streaming services originally helped push aside.
Netflix has discussed adding live channels and streaming bundles to their home page.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 10, 2026
• Streaming bundles would include sell subscriptions to other services through the Netflix app
• Live channels would include ones that constantly stream movies & TV shows from the same genre… pic.twitter.com/7QyaCIn1TX
Social Media Reacts to Netflix's Potential Change
"Streaming spent years trying to kill cable... now it's slowly becoming cable again," one person wrote.
Another added, "So basically... we reinvented cable television but with more steps and extra monthly fees. Wonderful."
"You've made cable TV again. But somehow, done the impossible and made it more inconvenient," another person commented.
"Netflix killed cable, became the new monopoly, and is now copying cable's worst features with live channels and bundles. Full circle corporate greed. Who's actually signing up for this?" one user wrote.
"So we went from cable, to paying for 10 different apps to avoid cable, back to paying one app to give us cable channels and bundles," another person posted.
Related: Netflix Faces a Major Problem
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 11:49 AM.