Two Apple TVs, both on OS26, Home Screen movie artwork

On one the artwork is in portrait displayed within a horizontal black box. The other the portrait artwork is zoomed into and fills the horizontal box.

Is there a setting I haven’t changed or is this just a difference in ATV model number as to the way it’s displayed ?

Posted on Oct 16, 2025 6:37 AM

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8 replies

Oct 16, 2025 6:26 PM in response to Vancouver22

It's frustrating to see Apple slip in terms of design. They used to be the gold standard for great taste, always offering something visually appealing—even if it wasn't to everyone's liking. But now it feels like they're losing their edge.


They made a big switch to horizontal layouts years ago, and now they're back to vertical—but the inconsistency is maddening. Vertical on the Mac, horizontal on Apple TV. And don't get me started on the Apple TV's Computer app—it's been a mess for years. Sound issues are the most glaring, like surround sound not working and problems with selecting multiple languages. Oh, and the weird black bar at the top of Television Art? That's just one of the many bugs. The multiple languages issue is a leftover from the previous tvOS, where you have to manually select the language in Settings to get the right audio. It's a hassle that shouldn’t still be an issue.

Oct 16, 2025 6:42 PM in response to davidosus

Yep that’s where the content is coming from.


it’s inconsistently displayed on the same OS, both looking bad in fact. One being zoomed in so you can’t tell what it is. The other a portrait movie poster contained within a black horizontal box.


Im a retired software tester and it certainly wouldn’t have made it passed my sign off.


Inconsistent as you say

Oct 17, 2025 7:30 AM in response to Vancouver22

If I did that, both the Mac and the Apple TV Computer app would display vertical artwork—though on the Apple TV, it would be forced into a horizontal space.


Alternatively, if I used horizontal artwork, both the Mac and Apple TV Computer app would show it, but on the Mac, it would be compressed into a vertical space.


Either way, it’s not an elegant solution.

Two Apple TVs, both on OS26, Home Screen movie artwork

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