Netflix ban for old Fire TV: These devices are affected!

Netflix ban for old Fire TV: These devices are affected!

Starting June 3, 2025, Netflix will no longer be available on certain older Amazon Fire TV devices. This affects, among others, the Fire TV Stick from 2014, the Fire TV Box from 2014 and the Fire TV Stick from 2016. This decision was announced by Netflix in a message to users who have used these models in the last 12 months. The reason for the shutdown has not been officially specified, but it is believed that the devices can no longer keep up with modern technical requirements, especially with regard to the new AV1 codec.

As oe24 reports, the affected devices are not able to support the higher standards of image quality and sound formats. Netflix has introduced the switch to AV1, an open and royalty-free video codec available since 2018 that promises higher video quality with lower bandwidth. Older devices have no option to be converted to this new codec through a software update, which leads to further restrictions. This is also taken up by Serienjunkies, who point out that older Fire TV devices do not meet the technical requirements of the AV1 standard.

Shutdown details

Users of these older Amazon Fire TV devices have already been informed of the impending shutdown via email. These devices, including the original Fire TV and the first Fire TV Stick, will therefore lose access to Netflix. If consumers want to switch to newer models, Amazon offers special conditions to make the switch easier. Current devices such as the Fire TV Stick with HD streaming are available for around 30 euros, while devices with 4K support are more expensive but promise significantly better picture quality.

Alternatives to Amazon Fire TV include streaming devices such as Google's Chromecast, Apple TV or Roku, which continue to support all current streaming services, including Netflix. However, other apps such as YouTube, Prime Video or the ARD media library can still be used on the older devices, which offers users a certain degree of flexibility.

Technical background on the AV1 codec

The AV1 codec is considered an advancement in video compression. According to Coconut, AV1 uses advanced encoding techniques that improve video quality, especially for 4K and HDR content, while reducing bandwidth consumption. The introduction of this codec to platforms like Netflix has the potential to optimize streaming experiences across a wide range of devices, making older models like the affected Fire TVs increasingly obsolete.

Overall, experts recommend that users switch to newer streaming devices in good time to ensure an undisturbed streaming experience and benefit from the advantages of modern video formats.