Owners of older Sony components, such as AV receivers, soundbars, network players, music servers, and Wi-Fi speakers, are likely to be in for a nasty surprise in November 2026: The Japanese manufacturer has announced that it will discontinue all network services on a total of 71 audio and home entertainment products effective November 17, 2026, with no replacement. As a result, numerous devices will lose access to streaming services such as Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon offerings, as well as the multifunctional Google Cast protocol. The corresponding functions will simply disappear from the menu or app, and the devices will no longer appear as selectable zones.
Of particular relevance to STEREO-GUIDE readers: The discontinuation affects not only home theater products, but also several high-end audio components, including network streamers, music servers, many streaming speakers, as well as some popular AV receivers and a number of soundbars.
In an official support announcement, Sony confirms that starting November 18, 2026, the corresponding service icons will even be removed from the user interface of the affected devices. Apps that are already installed will also stop working after that.
Audio streaming affected
While Netflix and Amazon Prime Video users have already grown accustomed to the fact that older Blu-ray players and home theater systems will eventually stop supporting these services, the discontinuation of Spotify and Google Cast is likely to be much harder to accept for many music lovers—and may also come as a surprise.
The removal of Google Cast is particularly problematic. Many users have been using their Sony soundbar or AV receiver as a direct streaming destination for music apps on their smartphone, tablet, or PC. With this feature being discontinued, this convenient option will be completely lost.
Spotify Connect and direct Spotify integration will also be removed from the affected devices. Music streaming will then only be possible via external devices, such as a modern streaming client, a smart TV, a network streamer, or via Bluetooth, provided the device in question supports it.
Former top models on the chopping block
It is worth noting that Sony’s decision does not affect only low-cost entry-level devices. The list includes several products that are popular among music lovers, have been praised for their sound quality, and are likely still in use in many living rooms.
These include, among others:
- Many AV receivers, such as the STR-DN1080
- Dolby Atmos Soundbar HT-ST5000
- HAP-Z1ES Music Server
- HAP-S1 Music Server
- MAP-S1 Network Receiver
Most of these devices were launched between 2010 and 2017. However, the higher-quality electronic components for the home are still in demand years later and are sold as new-old-stock at quite steep prices.
These features will remain
The good news is that the hardware won’t become unusable.
Sony expressly emphasizes that local playback features will continue to function normally. These include:
- HDMI inputs
- USB playback
- Play from local storage on music servers
- Disc playback on Blu-ray players
- Network-independent functions
- Analog and digital audio inputs
Provided the devices support the respective service. So if you connect an external streaming device like the WiiM Mini, you can continue to use the devices without any issues.
Table: Sony devices affected in Germany
| Category | Models |
|---|---|
| AV receiver | STR-DN850, STR-DN860, STR-DN1050, STR-DN1060, STR-DN1070, STR-DN1080 |
| Soundbars & Home Theater Systems | HT-NT3, HT-RT5, HT-ST9, HT-XT3, HT-CT790, HT-NT5, HT-XT2, HT-CT800, HT-MT500, HT-MT501, HT-ST5000 |
| Wi-Fi Speakers & All-in-One | SA-NS310, SA-NS410, SA-NS500, SA-NS510, SRS-X7, CMT-SBT300W, SRS-X9, NAS-SV20DI, NTR-SV1 |
| Music Server/Network Player | HAP-S1, HAP-Z1ES, NAC-SV10 |
| Network receivers/complete systems | FMP-X5, MAP-S1 |
Source: Sony Germany.
Why Sony is taking this step
Sony has not cited a specific reason for disabling the streaming functions. Since all the devices were able to stream without cloud support (unlike the issues surrounding the cloud shutdown of Bose SoundTouch components), and since the local processing power requirements for Spotify and Google Cast are relatively low, IT experts suspect security concerns or a lack of update options.
In the case of video streaming services, this trend—which has been emerging for years—is often due to the limited capabilities of older hardware.
This latest development once again highlights the downside of connected consumer electronics: while amplifiers, speakers, and drives often last for decades, streaming features depend on servers, licenses, and software platforms that may eventually be discontinued. For more information, visit Sony Support for Germany and the international support page.
What owners of affected devices can do now
If you own one of the affected models, you don’t have to throw the device away, but you will lose the network-based streaming options. In particular, devices with inputs such as HDMI (ARC), analog RCA, or optical digital inputs, as well as local storage, Bluetooth, and UPnP, should still be able to be used with these features.
If you want to continue using Spotify or streaming via Google Cast from mobile devices, you should check whether an external streaming device like the WiiM Mini can be connected. Some affordable streaming sticks or modern smart TVs also have services like Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video built in and then only send the audio signal to the respective Sony component.
High-end devices such as the HAP-Z1ES or the STR-DN1080 remain fully functional, but they do lose some of their original convenience.
The Sony case demonstrates once again why built-in streaming platforms are no substitute for standalone players. While amplifiers, speakers, and drives often last for decades, the lifespan of streaming features depends on software, cloud services, and licensing agreements. Those planning for the long term often find external streamers to be a more sustainable choice than built-in platforms. Owners of Bose SoundTouch devices recently had to learn this the hard way (aswe reported).
When purchasing new, high-end streaming hardware, we recommend looking for additional inputs that can be used continuously, such as HDMI and optical-in; ensuring that the manufacturer can provide over-the-air updates; and choosing a platform that has been on the market for a long time and continues to receive updates. This applies, for example, to all Bluesound components (including Dali, NAD, and Cyrus), StreamMagic from Cambridge Audio, and Linkplay or WiiM streaming.
FAQ
Numerous network services, as well as the Google Cast streaming protocol, will be discontinued on November 17, 2026. Starting November 18, 2026, the corresponding service icons will disappear from the user interface.
In Germany, Sony lists Spotify, Google Cast, Netflix, and Amazon services. In the U.S., Pandora, Slacker Radio, and Vudu are also included.
Yes, according to Sony, all the various inputs (HDMI, optical, analog), USB playback, disc drives, and other local functions will remain fully functional. Only the built-in network and streaming services will be omitted.
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