**Netflix Ditches Old Habits, Embracing Social-First Video with App Overhaul**
The way we consume video content has changed, and Netflix is finally catching up. The streaming giant has announced plans to revamp its mobile app, ditching its old, rigid layout for something more social and dynamic. This move is a response to the rise of social-first video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, which have changed the way we engage with video content on our mobile devices.
According to co-CEO Greg Peters, the new app is designed to “better serve the growth of our business over the next decade.” The redesign will serve as a foundation for ongoing experimentation, allowing Netflix to try out new features, test them with users, and evolve its offering over time.
One of the key changes is the integration of vertical video feeds, which Netflix has been testing since May. This feed showcases short clips from Netflix shows and movies in a format familiar to TikTok and Instagram Reels users. Peters described it as a way to “bring more clips based on new content types, like video podcasts,” suggesting that Netflix sees swipeable short-form clips as a powerful tool for capturing attention and increasing time spent in the app.
Netflix is also making a big push into video podcasts, a space where YouTube has traditionally dominated. The company has debuted its first original video podcasts, featuring high-profile personalities like Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin, and has partnered with major podcast players like Spotify and iHeartMedia to bring established video podcast libraries to the platform.
So, what does this mean for Netflix? The company is essentially trying to create a social platform experience within its app, encouraging users to engage with content daily, rather than just binge-watching shows or movies. This move comes as the streaming industry is facing increased competition not just from other streaming services, but from the entire entertainment industry.
As co-CEO Ted Sarandos pointed out during the earnings call, “TV is not what we grew up on. TV is now almost everything.” With the Oscars and the NFL airing on YouTube, and Apple competing for Emmys and Oscars, the lines between cinema, streaming, and social content are blurring. Netflix is adapting to this new landscape by embracing social-first video and experimenting with new formats and features.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Netflix delivered a whopping $45.2 billion in revenue, with ad revenue rising to over $1.5 billion. The company also crossed the 325 million paid subscription milestone. But the question remains: will Netflix’s revamped app be enough to compete with the likes of TikTok and Instagram? Only time will tell.
Source: [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/netflix-to-redesign-its-app-as-it-competes-with-social-platforms-for-daily-engagement/)
