Streaming on Consoles Ends: Netflix, Hulu Say Goodbye

For years, game consoles doubled as entertainment hubs, letting users switch effortlessly between gaming and streaming. That era is now fading. Netflix recently announced it will discontinue support for its PlayStation 3 app after March 2, 2026, while Hulu has ended its app for Nintendo’s original Switch. This shift raises questions about how streaming habits are evolving and what devices viewers are turning to next.

Netflix Leaves the PlayStation 3 Behind

Netflix’s departure from the PS3 marks the end of a significant chapter in streaming history. The PlayStation 3 once dominated living rooms as a top streaming device. When Netflix first launched its app for the console in late 2009, it did so in an unconventional way: by shipping physical discs to members. The app later became available on the PlayStation Store, quickly winning over users.

By 2012, the PS3 had become Netflix’s most popular platform for viewing. At times, it even surpassed PCs in hours watched, according to then-CEO Reed Hastings. The console was more than just a device—it shaped Netflix’s app strategy, influencing how the company approached TV-connected streaming.

Hulu Ends Support for Nintendo Switch

Hulu’s decision to retire its app on Nintendo’s original Switch mirrors Netflix’s move, though the Switch arrived on the scene years later. When it launched in 2017, the Switch blended portable gaming with living-room entertainment, making it ideal for streaming apps. Hulu embraced the device, allowing users to enjoy TV shows and movies alongside their favorite games.

However, evolving technology and newer devices have rendered older consoles less viable for streaming. Mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, and dedicated streaming devices now dominate, offering higher resolution, smoother performance, and more features than legacy gaming hardware.

Why Consoles Are Losing Streaming Appeal

Several factors explain why Netflix and Hulu are leaving these older platforms behind. First, aging hardware limits app performance and security updates, making it harder to support modern streaming standards. Second, user behavior has shifted—people increasingly stream on devices built primarily for media consumption rather than gaming. Smart TVs, streaming sticks, and mobile devices provide convenience and higher-quality playback that consoles from 2006–2017 simply cannot match.

Consoles remain a gaming powerhouse, but their role in entertainment has narrowed. Even newer systems like the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch OLED emphasize gaming first, with streaming as a secondary feature. For services like Netflix and Hulu, focusing on devices optimized for streaming ensures better performance, fewer support headaches, and an improved viewer experience.

What This Means for Viewers

For gamers who relied on these consoles to binge-watch TV shows, the change is inconvenient but not catastrophic. Most streaming services offer apps across multiple platforms, from mobile devices to smart TVs, ensuring continuity. Users now have the chance to explore new ways to enjoy content—whether through connected TVs, streaming sticks, or even web browsers.

The shift also signals a broader trend: consoles are no longer the central hub for media consumption they once were. As streaming technology evolves, services will continue to prioritize devices that deliver smooth, high-definition experiences over legacy hardware.

The End of an Era

The farewell of Netflix on the PS3 and Hulu on the Switch closes a unique chapter in tech and entertainment history. These consoles helped bring streaming into millions of homes, making binge-watching part of everyday life. While the era of streaming-first consoles may be ending, it paved the way for today’s smarter, faster, and more versatile devices.

Streaming on consoles may be over, but the legacy of how these devices transformed home entertainment will remain. As viewers migrate to modern platforms, the focus shifts from multifunctional gaming systems to devices built for media experiences, highlighting the ongoing evolution of how we watch TV.