Netflix has informed users that it will end support for older Fire TV devices launched around 10 years ago. Is that enough?
The announcement comes about a year and a half after Netflix discontinued support for older TVs, Blu-ray players and game consoles.
Support will end on June 3, 2025, for Fire TV devices released between 2014 and 2016, including the original Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, according to a report by PCWorld.
Your alternatives
Netflix did not specify a reason, but Amazon had already dropped support for these models, raising the question: Is a 10-year lifespan (8.5 years for the Fire TV Stick with Alexa voice remote) acceptable for a streaming device?
If you are fine with that, you can always replace your old unit with a new Fire TV Stick or streaming box.
However, there are better-supported alternatives such as Apple TV 4K with tvOS. The first version launched in 2017 still receives all tvOS updates. Nvidia also continues to support its Shield devices, although the hardware is getting old.
App support on Smart TVs tends to be short-lived, so we generally do not recommend buying a new Smart TV solely for streaming apps. See FlatpanelsHD’s recommendations for TVs and streaming players here.
- Source: PCWorld
