Netflix said it will redesign its mobile application later this year, expanding short-form vertical video features and integrating video podcasts as it responds to growing competition from social and video platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
The plan was outlined during Netflix’s fourth-quarter earnings call on Tuesday. Co-chief executive Greg Peters said the new mobile interface is intended to support the company’s long-term strategy and provide a foundation for continued experimentation.
“The redesigned app will better serve the expansion of our business over the decade to come,” Peters said, adding that it would allow Netflix to “iterate, test, evolve and improve” its services over time.
A central feature of the redesign is a vertical video feed displaying short clips from Netflix films and series. The company has been testing this format on mobile devices since May 2025. Peters said the feed will be expanded to include new content types, including video podcasts.
“You can imagine us bringing more clips based on new content types, like video podcasts,” he said.
Netflix began releasing original video podcasts in January 2026, with shows hosted by public figures such as Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin. The company has also partnered with podcast distributors, including Spotify and iHeartMedia, to bring established video podcast libraries to the platform.
Executives said the changes are meant to improve content discovery and increase how often users open the app, particularly on mobile devices. At the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference, Netflix Chief Technology Officer Elizabeth Stone said the company was not trying to turn Netflix into a social media platform, but to strengthen how viewers find entertainment.
During the earnings call, co-chief executive Ted Sarandos said Netflix’s competitive system has grown beyond traditional streaming rivals.
“There’s never been more competition for creators, for consumer attention, for advertising and subscription dollars,” Sarandos said. “TV is not what we grew up on. TV is now just about everything.”
He pointed to platforms such as YouTube and Instagram as emerging competitors for viewing time, noting that major events and premium content are increasingly available outside traditional television and streaming services.
Netflix’s strategy comes as it continues to grow financially, though it faces strong competition for daily engagement. The company reported $45.2 billion in revenue for 2025, with advertising revenue exceeding $1.5 billion. Netflix also said it ended the year with more than 325 million paid subscribers worldwide.
While Netflix remains the largest paid streaming service globally, platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram lead in mobile usage and daily viewing time. YouTube recently surpassed the BBC in monthly average audience.
The redesigned mobile app and expanded vertical video features are scheduled to roll out later in 2026. Netflix said it views the update as a long-term platform rather than a finished product.
