Why streaming apps stop working on older TVs and boxes
If BBC iPlayer, Netflix, ITVX or Channel 4 has vanished from your TV, or says it's no longer available, the BBC's explanation applies: it's not your screen, it's the computer inside. Every smart TV, set-top box and streaming stick contains a small computer that runs the apps, and that computer might be built into the TV, sit inside a Virgin Media, Sky or Freeview box, or be a stick plugged into the back of the TV.
Streaming services update their apps regularly, for new features and for security. The BBC says that over time these little computers can't always keep up with the latest updates and security improvements, which makes it hard to keep its apps running on them. The other broadcasters and Netflix explain it in similar terms:
- Netflix says it may end support for a device when that device can no longer get necessary updates from its manufacturer, or can't support new features.
- Channel 4 says devices lose its app because of their age: they can't support the updates needed to keep the app running properly.
- The BBC says it works closely with manufacturers to keep iPlayer running for many years, and that removing support is a last resort, taken only when there's no other practical option.
Two things follow from this. First, the TV still works as a screen: if you plug in a newer device, the picture you already have is fine. Second, an app ending on one device says nothing about your account. Netflix spells this out: the error relates to the device, and your Netflix account and membership haven't changed.
Each service keeps its own list of supported devices, so one app can disappear from a TV while others carry on working. That's why it pays to check each service separately.
What the on-screen messages mean
Some messages mean the device has reached the end of support; others point to something you can fix. A crash, a spinning wheel or a sign-in loop isn't an end-of-support message, so try the steps in the next section first.
Netflix: R40, R12, R25-9 or 'no longer available'
Netflix says that if you see error code R40, R12 or R25-9, or a message such as 'Netflix is no longer available on this device' or 'Netflix will no longer be available on this device after' a given date, your device can no longer support Netflix, or won't be able to after that date. A dated message gives you time to sort out another way to watch.
Channel 4: 'no longer available'
Channel 4 says a message telling you its app is no longer available means the device is no longer supported. Its help page names the devices it withdrew the app from in April and May 2026: YouView Huawei boxes, selected older Freeview devices (it gives Vestel 1st Gen as an example) and the Humax 4000T. If you have one of those, the change is deliberate, not a fault.
BBC iPlayer on Chromecast or Google TV
Not every warning means the hardware is finished. When we checked in October 2026, the BBC's help page still carried a notice for people who had been told that their Chromecast or Google TV device would stop supporting iPlayer at the end of September 2026. The BBC says that message means the device isn't using the latest version of the app, and the fix is to update the iPlayer app from the Google Play Store.
First, rule out a problem you can fix
Before you spend money, try the basics. ITVX's troubleshooting page sets out an order that suits most apps:
- Restart the TV or device and your router. ITVX suggests unplugging the TV or device for at least a minute, and the router for 30 seconds, then allowing a couple of minutes for it to reconnect.
- Reset or reinstall the app. In ITVX that's Settings > About > Reset, then signing back in. On devices such as Fire TV or Android TV you can clear the app's data and cache, or uninstall and reinstall it.
- Install any software update for the TV or box. ITVX notes that outdated software can cause compatibility problems. The BBC says updating TV or set-top box software can fix bugs and unlock iPlayer features such as restarting live TV or watching live in UHD (ultra high definition, also called 4K). Your TV's manual or manufacturer will tell you how to update it.
- Turn off any VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) can make your connection appear to come from another country, and ITVX is only available in the UK.
- Test other apps and another device. ITVX's logic is useful for any service: if other streaming apps fail on the same TV too, the problem is likely your connection or the device's hardware; if the app works on a different device, the problem is likely the original TV or box.
If every app on the TV struggles, or the picture keeps stopping to load, that points to your connection rather than app support. Our guide to why streaming keeps buffering covers that, and what to do when a smart device won't connect to Wi-Fi helps if the TV has dropped off your network altogether. Running our broadband speed test on a phone or laptop near the TV gives you a quick reading of what reaches that room.
If you contact ITVX, it asks for the device's make and model, what happens, whether live TV, on-demand or both are affected, and what you've tried.
How to check whether your model is still supported
Each service keeps its own list, and they work in different ways. You'll need your TV or box's exact model number, because the BBC's lists are searched by model rather than by brand. If iPlayer still opens, its Settings > System Information screen shows the application version, device and environment details; the BBC says these help it investigate a fault if you contact it.
Service | How it lists devices | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
BBC iPlayer | A page per manufacturer, split into tables by release year | Your exact model number |
Netflix | Supported devices page and help articles by device | Your brand or device name; note on pre-2015 TVs |
ITVX | One list of TVs and platforms | Brand and year, or minimum software and firmware versions |
Channel 4 | Minimum operating requirements page | Platform names and a list of withdrawn devices |
Below is what each one said when we checked in October 2026. Lists change, so look again before relying on them.
BBC iPlayer: certified devices
The BBC only supports devices it calls certified: models that manufacturers submitted for testing and that passed the BBC's tests. If a device isn't certified, the BBC doesn't support it and you may run into problems.
To check, open the iPlayer help page for your TV's manufacturer, press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Command+F (Mac) and type your model number. If nothing comes up, your model isn't listed. The pages are split by the year models were released; Samsung's, for example, has tables running from 2012 to 2026.
A missing model doesn't always mean an old one. The BBC says a TV might not be certified because certification is waiting on a bug fix, because it's a new model still waiting to be certified, or because it's an older model whose technology can't be updated any more. Whatever the reason, the BBC says that if your TV isn't certified you can still get iPlayer by connecting another device to it.
Netflix: supported devices
Netflix's supported devices page lists TV brands and device types, and notes that Netflix may no longer be available on some TVs and TV streaming devices made before 2015. If your device isn't there, Netflix suggests searching its Help Center for the device name or manufacturer, or contacting Netflix or the device maker.
Netflix also points out that many internet, cable and pay TV providers include the Netflix app on their own boxes, so search the Help Center for your provider's name or ask the provider. Our guide to getting Netflix and other streaming services through your broadband provider explains how those arrangements work.
ITVX: brands, years and firmware
ITVX's list of TVs and platforms gives cut-offs for some brands. In October 2026 it included:
- LG smart TVs from 2016 or later;
- Samsung smart TVs from 2017 and above, with 2016 models offering on-demand programmes only;
- Apple TV on tvOS 18 or later;
- Android TV, Freeview Play and Freesat, each with a note that some models aren't supported;
- Freely, Amazon Fire devices, Google TV (Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA Shield), PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X and S;
- YouView boxes, Sky Q, Sky Glass and the Sky Stream puck, and Virgin Media 360, Stream and TiVo.
Roku and NOW devices need newer firmware. ITVX's device list says that from 1 October, updates to its app mean it works only on Roku and NOW sticks and boxes with firmware (the device's built-in software) of v15.1 or later. The page, last updated in June 2026, also still shows an older minimum of v11.5.0, but the v15.1 note is the one that applies now. If ITVX has stopped on a Roku or NOW device, check its firmware version in the device's settings and install any update; if it can't reach v15.1, it can no longer run ITVX.
Channel 4: minimum requirements
Channel 4's minimum operating requirements page lists platforms rather than individual models: Freeview Play, Freely, Samsung Tizen (mid-2015 models and above), Sky, Amazon Fire, YouView, Roku, Virgin Media, Now TV, Apple TV, Google TV, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox One.
Samsung Tizen is the only entry with a year cut-off, and the page gives no firmware minimums for TVs or boxes. Other TV brands, LG among them, aren't named on the page, so look for the Channel 4 app in the TV's own app list; if it's missing, see the options below. The withdrawn-device note (YouView Huawei, selected older Freeview devices such as Vestel 1st Gen, and the Humax 4000T) is the clearest guide to which older kit has lost the app.
Your options without buying a new TV
The BBC's answer to 'do I need to buy a new TV?' is no, for most people. The options below are listed roughly in the order worth trying, starting with what costs nothing.
Use something that's already plugged in
Look at what's connected to the TV's HDMI sockets (the flat sockets that carry picture and sound) before buying anything. The BBC suggests checking whether a Sky, Virgin Media, BT TV or Freesat box, a PlayStation or Xbox, or a Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV or Chromecast device can still play iPlayer. Netflix gives the same advice: check whether a streaming stick, cable box or games console connected by HDMI has the Netflix app.
It works the other way too. The BBC notes that if your set-top box or stick no longer supports iPlayer, you may be able to use iPlayer directly on the TV. Switch to the TV's own smart menu and see which apps are there.
Ask your TV provider about its box
If you watch through a pay TV box, the BBC says your TV itself might run iPlayer, or the provider may supply a newer box that can. Ask the provider:
- which apps your current box supports and whether any are being withdrawn;
- whether a newer box is available on your package, and whether it means a new contract or a change to your price;
- whether recordings, settings or add-on channels will carry over if you change boxes.
Some providers now deliver TV over your broadband rather than by dish or cable. Our guide to how TV over broadband works explains Sky Stream, Virgin Media Stream and EE TV, and moving from Sky Q or Virgin TV 360 to a Stream box covers what changes when you switch box. If you're out of contract and thinking of changing your TV and broadband together, our broadband and TV deals page shows bundles at your postcode, and the Sky broadband deals and Virgin Media broadband deals pages show what those providers offer.
A streaming stick or box
A streaming stick plugs straight into an HDMI socket and gives the TV a new set of apps. The BBC calls it a low-cost approach if you want to keep your existing TV, and says sticks are usually the cheapest option, followed by some set-top boxes.
The BBC won't give a definitive list of devices because the technology moves on quickly, and we don't name a 'best' one. Instead:
- check the stick or box against the iPlayer certified list, and against the ITVX, Channel 4 and Netflix pages for the apps you use;
- check any software or firmware minimums the services set, such as ITVX's v15.1 firmware requirement for Roku and NOW devices, and that the device can be updated to meet them;
- buy from a recognised retailer. Devices sold as giving free access to paid channels are a different matter; our guide to the risks of illegal streaming devices explains why to avoid them.
A Freely streaming device
Freely is a free live TV service from the public service broadcasters, delivered over broadband rather than an aerial, and the BBC says iPlayer is available on Freely devices. Freely says many older TVs, even ones that can't connect to Wi-Fi, can get Freely through a Freely streaming device plugged into the HDMI port. You need home broadband (Freely recommends at least 10Mbps, megabits per second) and a TV licence; no aerial is needed. Freely's older-TV page, dated 28 August 2026, lists two streaming devices: the Manhattan Aero 4K box and the Netgem PLEIO 4K puck.
Freely says a TV already has it if there's a Freely button on the remote, or the Freely logo on the home screen or in the TV guide. Our guide to Freely and free TV over your broadband covers the service in full.
Phone, tablet, laptop or casting
As a stopgap, you can watch on another screen. The BBC says that if you can't install the iPlayer app on a phone or tablet, you may still be able to use the iPlayer website in the device's browser. Netflix works at netflix.com on a computer.
Netflix says you can watch on the TV from a phone or tablet using a video cable or adapter, screen mirroring, or casting to a Netflix-compatible cast device, but customers on its ad-supported plan can't cast to a TV from a mobile device. Channel 4 says you can cast to a Chromecast from an Android or iOS device, or from the Chrome browser on a computer. If casting won't connect, see why casting or AirPlay isn't working on your Wi-Fi.
Phones, tablets and browsers have minimums too: Channel 4's app needs iOS 14 or Android 7.0 and above, ITVX lists iOS 15 and Android 7.0 and above, and Channel 4's website no longer supports Internet Explorer 11.
Before you buy a new device or TV
If you do decide to buy, a few checks save disappointment:
- Check support for every app you use. The BBC advises checking a device is certified for iPlayer before you buy, with the retailer or on its certified devices page. Do the same on the ITVX, Channel 4 and Netflix pages.
- Look at accessibility. The BBC notes that many modern devices include screen readers and voice controls that older ones lacked, and that a stick or box can often be set up to work with a single remote, so you don't have to learn a second one.
- Think about where it connects. A stick or box behind the TV relies on the Wi-Fi in that room. If the signal there is weak, a wired connection may help; our guide to wiring your home network with Ethernet explains the options.
- Check your broadband can carry it. Freely recommends at least 10Mbps for its service and at least 40Mbps for 4K. Test at the TV and at the time you usually watch, and allow for anyone else using the connection at the same time. Our guide to what broadband speed you need helps you add it up.
If your connection falls short, compare deals at your postcode. The deals there come from a partner's comparison tool, searched by postcode, and you sign up with the provider directly. Fibre broadband deals are the place to start if you want more speed for streaming.
What to do with the old device
A TV that has lost its apps can carry on as a screen for a stick, box or console. If you do retire a TV, box or stick, Netflix suggests repurposing, refurbishing or recycling it: check whether the retailer or manufacturer runs a trade-in or recycling scheme, or take it to an e-waste facility.
Netflix strongly recommends a factory reset, or deleting your personal data, before you pass a device on. That's worth doing for any streaming device, because apps can stay signed in to your accounts. Sign out of each app first if it still opens, then reset the device; Netflix says the device manual or the company that made it will tell you how.
Streaming apps on older TVs FAQs
Why has BBC iPlayer disappeared from my smart TV?
Usually because the small computer inside the TV, box or stick can no longer keep up with the BBC's app updates and security improvements. The BBC says it removes support only as a last resort. Check its certified devices list for your model, and look at whether anything already plugged into the TV still runs iPlayer.
What does Netflix error R40 or R12 mean?
Netflix says error codes R40, R12 and R25-9, and messages saying Netflix is no longer available on this device, mean the device can no longer support Netflix, or won't after a stated date. Your account and membership are unaffected; you'll need another supported device to keep watching on the TV.
How do I check if my TV is certified for BBC iPlayer?
Open the BBC iPlayer help page for your TV's manufacturer, press Ctrl+F on Windows or Command+F on a Mac, and type your exact model number. The pages are split by release year. If your model doesn't appear, the BBC doesn't list it as certified, and you can connect another device instead.
Which older devices have lost the Channel 4 app?
Channel 4's help page says its app is no longer available on YouView Huawei boxes, selected older Freeview devices such as Vestel 1st Gen, and the Humax 4000T, as of April and May 2026. It says a 'no longer available' message means the device is no longer supported because of its age.
Do I need a new TV to keep watching iPlayer, ITVX or Netflix?
For most people, no. The BBC suggests first checking pay TV boxes, games consoles and streaming sticks you already have, then considering a streaming stick, which it describes as usually the cheapest option. Check any new device against each service's supported list before buying, as support varies by app.
Can a Freely streaming device fix an older TV?
Often, yes. Freely says many older TVs, even ones that can't connect to Wi-Fi, can get Freely through a streaming device plugged into the HDMI port, and the BBC says iPlayer is available on Freely devices. You need home broadband, ideally at least 10Mbps according to Freely, and a TV licence.
