iOS 16.2 TV app: Random shows now take precedence over your watchlist

A new “Favorites”line at the top of the “Watch Now”section, filled with random shows, moves down your “Next”queue with content you really want to watch.

• What is happening? The Apple TV app in iOS 16.2 adds an intrusive “Favorites”section under “Watch Now”that moves your “Next”watch list lower.
• Why care? This is a regression of usability. Shows from other algorithm-recommended apps now appear above content in the Up Next list.
• What to do? If you’re thinking about moving to iOS 16.2 when it launches, Apple will likely bring this change to all users via a server-side update.

iOS 16.2 TV app deprioritizes “Next in line”queue

The TV app in beta versions of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 received a new Favorites section above Next in the Watch Now tab. Disgruntled users took to Reddit to express their displeasure with the changes.

In iOS 16.1 and earlier, the Up Next queue appeared at the very top of the Watch Now section. In other words, this is a clear change for the worse.

Why do we not like this change

The new section is similar to the “Favorites”line in the “TV +”section. It also includes content from apps like HBO Max and Disney+, including services you don’t subscribe to. This is not a bug and there is no way to disable Featured.

Now, many people consider this a form of annoying advertising. In reality, however, this is how select content has traditionally been shown on other streaming services and devices. Of course, that doesn’t make this add-on any less annoying, especially with the hero images in the carousel making the content in the Favorites section stand out from what’s in your personal Up Next list.

Unfortunately, this means that you now have to scroll through random shows in the algorithm-recommended “Favorites”section just to get on your Up Next watchlist.

The watchlist is one of the most important features of any streaming service, which is why it’s frustrating. For example, your Up Next list includes all shows you haven’t finished watching yet and upcoming content that you’ve manually added to the list.

When will iOS 16.2 be released?

As of this writing, Apple is testing iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and other upcoming software updates with its registered developers.

The company hasn’t said when iOS 16.2 will go on sale, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has learned that iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 will launch for download and installation by all users around mid-December.