Netflix AI upscaling of ‘A Different World’ sparks controversy

Netflix’s addition of “A Different World” has spotlighted the darker side of AI upscaling technology, as viewers encounter distorted faces, illegible text, and bizarrely misshapen elements in what should be a nostalgic viewing experience. This case highlights the growing tension between streaming platforms’ rush to modernize classic content and the technical limitations of current AI upscaling techniques, raising important questions about quality control and viewer experience in the streaming era.

The big picture: Netflix’s version of the 1980s sitcom “A Different World” is suffering from apparent AI upscaling issues that dramatically degrade the viewing experience.

• Viewers have reported nightmarish distortions including malformed faces, garbled text, and misshapen backgrounds since the show was added to Netflix in February.
• The original 480p or 360p broadcast resolution content has been awkwardly forced into a 16:9 aspect ratio, further compromising the viewing experience compared to the original 4:3 format available on other platforms.

Why this matters: The botched remastering represents a growing problem as streaming platforms race to modernize classic content without proper technical oversight.

• As developer Scott Hanselman explained on TikTok, while AI upscaling can theoretically transform low-resolution content to 4K, “the problem is AI upscaling image technology isn’t quite there yet.”
• The quality issues raise concerns about preservation of cultural artifacts and respect for creative works in the streaming age.

Behind the numbers: The licensing structure suggests Netflix may not be solely responsible for the upscaling problems.

• The Carsey-Werner production company holds the rights to “A Different World” and another similarly affected 1980s sitcom, “Roseanne,” which exhibits comparable AI upscaling issues on Peacock.
• However, Netflix’s quality control process still failed to catch the obvious visual problems before making the show available to subscribers.

Industry context: This incident adds to Netflix’s growing list of controversial AI implementations.

• The platform is currently facing criticism for using AI to reproduce the voice of murdered influencer Gabby Petito in separate content.
• Last year, Netflix was called out for broadcasting a true crime documentary containing AI-generated images.

Reading between the lines: The transition of classic content to modern streaming formats presents technical and ethical challenges that platforms are failing to adequately address.

• The apparent prioritization of widescreen formats and “HD” marketing claims over authentic preservation suggests commercial interests may be overshadowing content integrity.
• These upscaling failures illustrate the limitations of current AI technology when applied without proper human oversight and quality standards.