Google is rolling out a rare update to Android TV, bringing new promoted content categories to the homescreen’s “Play Next” section.
Users on Reddit were the first to spot the update, which adds new rows such as:
- Top Selling Movies
- Popular Movies and Shows
- Trending on Google
These categories now appear directly under app shortcuts on the homescreen, mimicking the experience found on Google TV.
While Android TV has taken a backseat to Google TV in recent years, it remains active on many older smart TVs and streaming devices. Google has continued to support the platform with occasional homescreen updates, rather than full system upgrades.
Notably, the update was seen on a device still running Android 9.0, suggesting the changes are part of a server-side or app-level update, not a full OS upgrade. The Android TV Home app was last updated in May, further supporting this.
This move appears to be part of Google’s ongoing effort to unify the user experience across its TV platforms, even for legacy users.
