Netflix Used AI to Upscale A Different World

The classic sitcom stream features visible distortions caused by AI-assisted resolution upscaling.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Television

Abstract digital glitch illustration with jagged pixel fragments and neon blue and magenta noise, evoking corrupted video resolution. — Netflix has faced criticism for using AI-assisted upscaling on the sitcom A Different World, resulting in distorted visual artifacts for subscribers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust that AI-upscaled versions of classic television shows improve your viewing experience?

Netflix is using an AI-assisted upscaling process to stream the sitcom A Different World, resulting in noticeable visual artifacts. Viewers have reported smeared faces, distorted hands, and illegible text within the series.

Why it matters

The issues arise because the original source material lacks the necessary visual data to accurately reproduce fine details at higher resolutions. Automated sharpening algorithms struggle to fill in these gaps, leading to the errors highlighted by observers.

A Different World aired for 6 seasons on NBC from 1987 to 1993. The current presentation uses automated systems to sharpen each frame for modern displays.

The players

Netflix

This major streaming service provides on-demand content and uses proprietary AI tools for content delivery.

Scott Hanselman

A software developer who publicly highlighted the visual distortions found in the Netflix presentation.

The details

An algorithm attempts to estimate missing visual details to increase image resolution for the platform. This process has resulted in widespread distortion of faces, hands, logos, and background text throughout the streaming presentation.

The series originally aired on NBC from 1987 to 1993.
Issues were reported in an article published on September 18, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The reliance on AI-assisted resolution upscaling reflects a broader push by streaming platforms to modernize legacy media libraries for 4K displays. This move contrasts with traditional manual restoration methods, which are often more labor-intensive and costly for studio archives.

Viewers watching the sitcom on the platform may encounter distracting visual errors in background elements or character features. These artifacts reflect the current technical limitations of automated enhancement for older television footage.

The takeaway

When platforms use automated AI tools to upscale older media, viewers should anticipate a potential trade-off between increased resolution and visual fidelity. Relying on these algorithms can sometimes result in unintentional distortions that alter the original look of the footage.