Telefonica shuts down legacy smart tvs, leaving users with a choice
Telefonica’s Movistar Plus+ is pulling the plug on support for a significant swathe of Smart TVs, a move that’s already causing frustration and forcing users to upgrade their viewing equipment. The streaming service, known for its sometimes-opaque rollout strategy, is prioritizing newer devices, effectively relegating older models to the digital scrapheap.
A calculated cut: why the sudden shift?
For months, Movistar Plus+ has teased a streamlining of its platform, hinting at compatibility issues with increasingly outdated Smart TV systems. The reality, however, is a more direct and somewhat abrupt cessation of support. The company’s justification? Simply that the older hardware can’t reliably handle the latest updates required to maintain a ‘best-in-class’ experience. Frankly, it smells like a cost-saving measure, a way to avoid the monumental, and frankly, prohibitive expense of supporting a fragmented ecosystem of devices.
The initial announcement, delivered via a somewhat cryptic email in mid-March, suggested a problem with ‘current models’ preventing necessary updates. Now, six weeks later, the fallout is real: users are greeted with error messages and a stark ultimatum – purchase a Fire TV or Chromecast, or accept a significantly reduced viewing experience.
The compatible list: a surprisingly specific rollout
Telefonica isn’t being entirely opaque, though. They’ve published a list of compatible devices – a surprisingly granular breakdown that reads like a tech graveyard. Samsung models from 2016 onwards with Tizen OS are still in the green, as are LGs from the same year with Full HD resolution or better. Hisense models with VIDAA 4.0, Android TVs (6.0 or higher), and even TiVo OS devices – ranging from 2021 to 2024 – are also supported. Philips, with their Titan OS, and even newer Panasonic and Sharp models, make the cut. But those with devices dating back to 2018? They’re essentially out of luck.
The cost of maintaining this level of compatibility would, according to Telefonica, be a ‘millions of euro investment’, a figure that underlines the strategic decision. It’s a calculated risk, echoing Netflix’s own approach – a deliberate pruning of the older, less profitable segment of the market.
But the timing is particularly jarring. Movistar Plus+ has been signaling this shift for weeks, yet the execution feels rushed, leaving many users scrambling to find a solution. The alternative – a monthly subscription for €9.99 – offers a comparable package without the permanence of an older, unsupported device. It’s a frustrating, and ultimately, avoidable outcome for many loyal customers.
Ultimately, Telefonica’s move isn’t just about Technology; it’s about control and profit.