Netflix no longer believes that long-form streaming alone is enough to capture everyday attention.
Instead of being an app people open only when they are ready to watch a movie or series, the company wants to become something users check more frequently throughout the day.
To achieve this, Netflix is reshaping its mobile experience around a clearer, more modern focus. A redesigned app, scheduled to arrive in 2026, will emphasize short, swipeable videos and video podcasts, positioning the platform to better compete with fast-moving social and video apps such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
The overhaul was revealed during Netflix’s fourth-quarter earnings call and is being framed as a long-term foundation rather than a simple visual refresh. Co-CEO Greg Peters explained that the new design is intended to support the company’s growth over the next decade, allowing Netflix to continuously test, refine, and improve how users interact with the app.
At the heart of the update is a stronger push into vertical video. Since May, Netflix has been experimenting with a feed of short clips that showcase quick moments from its shows and films in a format familiar to social media users. That feature is now expected to grow beyond promotional snippets.
Peters hinted at a broader vision, suggesting that the feed could soon include content drawn from new formats such as video podcasts. This would place traditional programs, short clips, and podcast-style shows side by side, creating a scrolling experience designed to keep users engaged rather than guiding them straight into a full-length watch.
Netflix has already begun testing this direction. In January, the company launched original video podcasts hosted by well-known personalities, including Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin. It has also partnered with Spotify and iHeartMedia to bring established video podcast libraries onto the platform, putting it in more direct competition with YouTube’s strong presence in that space.
Company leaders say the goal is discovery rather than imitation. CTO Elizabeth Stone has emphasized that Netflix is not trying to become a social network, but to make it easier for people to stumble upon entertainment in moments when they reach for their phones. Even so, the broader ambition is clear: Netflix wants to be a daily habit, not just a destination for scheduled viewing.
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted the changing competitive landscape during the same earnings call, noting that the battle now extends beyond streaming rivals to any platform that captures attention. He pointed out that traditional definitions of television are fading, with major cultural events and award-winning content now spread across YouTube, Apple, and even social media platforms.
This shift explains why Netflix is broadening its strategy. The company is no longer simply competing with other streaming services, but with every app that fills short breaks and idle moments on a smartphone.
There is also a strong business incentive behind the move. In 2025, Netflix reported $45.2 billion in revenue, with more than $1.5 billion coming from advertising as its lower-cost, ad-supported tier gained traction. Short-form video and podcasts are particularly attractive for advertisers because they allow for more frequent and flexible ad placements. By the end of the year, the platform had surpassed 325 million paid subscribers, underscoring the scale of the opportunity it is now trying to deepen.