Apple TV Search not recommending Netflix

I just installed a new Apple TV 4K. Everything is working fine except that when I use the Search App it seems that the search completely ignores the Netflix option if a TV Show or Movie is available via any of the other Apps.  It won’t list the Netflix option, even if you have subscribed to Netflix and the other App requires a pay per view.  The only time it directs you to Netflix is if the show isn’t available anywhere else ... at least that's my preliminary conclusion based my experience to-date.


For example, if I search "The Secret Life of Pets 2" it only shows me a pay per view option via Illumination, even though I have a fully paid up subscription to Netflix and the movie is available there at no charge.

Or, if I search "Schitt's Creek", it directs me to Amazon Prime Video instead of giving me the option to watch it on Prime Video or on Netflix. I have a subscription to each and the Apps are both added to the Apple TV menu.


On the other hand, if I search "Stranger Things", it directs me to Netflix ... as this is only available on Netflix.


All software is up to date. I have power cycled the Apple TV and deleted and reinstalled the Netflix App as well, with the same result.


The broad cross-app search feature is the main reason I bought an Apple TV, so this is very disappointing. Is there a compatibility issue, or is this just a turf war between Apple and Netflix?


Appreciate any help.

Posted on Jan 23, 2021 3:54 PM

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Posted on Jan 23, 2021 9:01 PM

According to the article About Search on your Apple TV - Apple Support, Netflix should be fully supported for Search. There are no further user settings to influence this.


Best you can do at this point is give feedback with your experiences at the appropriate inbox, and then hopefully it will get some attention to be fixed in future updates. Feedback - Apple TV - Apple

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 23, 2021 9:01 PM in response to LJFCSF

According to the article About Search on your Apple TV - Apple Support, Netflix should be fully supported for Search. There are no further user settings to influence this.


Best you can do at this point is give feedback with your experiences at the appropriate inbox, and then hopefully it will get some attention to be fixed in future updates. Feedback - Apple TV - Apple

Jan 24, 2021 11:19 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks. I called Apple Support yesterday and they were of no help. The "expert" that I spoke to after being transferred even argued that the Search function (magnifying glass icon) was not intended to help you find Movies or TV shows among the various installed Apps ... and that I had to search the Apps individually. Ludicrous answer. When I offered to point her to the place in the User Manual that explains clearly that this is an intended function, she hung up on me! I will try the feedback route you suggested. Thanks again.

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Apple TV Search not recommending Netflix

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