Plex restores old TV menu design after user backlash

Plex is reverting to its old television menu design in response to user feedback. The media streaming platform announced the change in a forum post, revealing that the decision was made after substantial criticism regarding its recent interface overhaul.

The redesign, which moved the primary navigation menu from the left side to a horizontal layout at the top of the screen, faced backlash from users who preferred the original setup. The updated version, now being rolled out to preview users on Apple TV and Roku, as well as beta users on Android TV, restores the menu to its familiar left-aligned position. This change aims to improve user experience by making navigation more intuitive.

In addition to the restored menu, the update introduces several quality-of-life enhancements. Users will find their Favorite libraries prominently displayed at the top of the menu, facilitating quicker access to frequently viewed content. The update also allows users to reorder Live TV and DVR sources, providing greater control over content organization. Other improvements include the ability to switch pages within a source without returning to the main menu, along with general performance tweaks and bug fixes.

While the update does not completely eliminate the redesigned Plex experience, it signals a shift towards user preferences. The response to this update may influence how Plex addresses pricing concerns, particularly regarding its recent Lifetime Pass price increase. The full rollout for Fire TV users will follow after the company processes feedback from the preview version.