Netflix reports support end for older Fire TV models
Netflix sets the support for older Fire TV sets from Amazon. From June 2025, affected customers can no longer use the streaming service with their old hardware and must inevitably increase the latest technology.
Out of Netflix on old Fire TV sets
On the one hand, Netflix is constantly expanding its streaming offer. The streaming provider has just announced its new films and series for May 2025. In addition, the rights on Sesame Road have been purchased and the children’s series will radiate from the 56th season. On the other hand, content is also deleted. At the end of 2024, almost all interactive films and series were removed from the platform.
Now it hits some subscribers even harder. Because with your current hardware you will soon no longer be able to watch Netflix. This is how the company informs loudly Golem His customers are currently using the Amazon Fire TV models to support some Fire TV models. Accordingly, the Netflix app on affected streaming devices will soon no longer be available. Users must therefore quickly look for alternatives.
Specifically affected models
The changes affect three older Fire TV devices, all of which came onto the market in 2014. The following models can be used from the June 3, 2025 No more Netflix look:
- Fire TV 1. Generation
- Fire TV stick 1. Generation
- Fire TV stick 1. Generation with voice remote control
These devices have been on the market for over ten years, with Amazon’s first set-top box being presented in the United States in April 2014. These models have no longer received security or software updates for at least six years.
Reasons for the end of support
Netflix does not provide an explicit reasoning, much indicates that the support is set because the old devices do not support the more modern AV1 codec. This codec not only offers more efficient compression for better image quality with the same bandwidth, but is also free of license. Retrofitting the codec via software update is not possible with the old devices. The AV1 codec (Aomedia Video 1) was developed by the Alliance for Open Media and published in 2018.
It is considered the successor to VP9 and offers up to 30 percent better compression efficiency compared to older standards such as H.264. Netflix is increasingly relating to this standard to save bandwidth and at the same time improve image quality. The affected first generation Fire TV devices also have outdated processors and graphics units that are simply not efficient enough to process modern codecs. The hardware limitation makes it impossible to retrofit this functionality, even if Amazon would still offer software updates.
Options for affected users
Amazon has also contacted affected users by email and is accommodating. In this way, the company enables its customers to apply for a new FiretV stick at customer service. The current Firetv-Stick (2024) with HD streaming support regularly costs around 45 euros, while the 4K-Ultra HD version, which has recently been available again, costs 70 euros. With the discount offered, these devices would be available for 22.50 euros or 35 euros.
No individual case in the streaming industry
The setting of the support for older devices is not a Netflix-specific phenomenon. Other streaming services such as Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video have also set support for older smart TVs and streaming devices in the past. Nevertheless, Netflix’s decision should now mean the death of the remaining fire TVs and sticks of the 1st generation.
