From May 24, 2017, you will no longer be able to use the TV program guide, timer recordings, reminders, and other features in the Sony TV SideView app, the company has announced. 

A handicapped mobile app
You will of course retain the TV program guide and other functionality in the actual Sony TV but if you have been using Sony’s TV SideView mobile app you will lose core functionality in about three months from now.

The following features will be removed on May 24, 2017:
Program guide
Top picks (excluding My Library for Android）
Timer REC
Reminder
Bookmark
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This is of course very bad news since Sony’s TV SideView was actually one of the best mobile companion apps for TVs. It allowed the user to easily get an overview of TV channels and switch between them. It also allowed the user to plan future recordings of TV programs.

It is not clear why Sony is removing core functionality but it appears to be related to contract negotiations. One of Sony’s partners was the company Gracenote.


Will affect owners globally
Sony confirms to FlatpanelsHD that the discontinuation of functions in the TV SideView app will affect owners of Sony TVs globally.

The following functions will remain: “Remote control, Home network, My Library (only for Android), Mobile device (only for Android)”

The app was launched in June 2013 with a goal to merge the TV and mobile experience. Sony has announced no plans to replace the app with something else.

- Source: Sony, thanks to Daniel Bechter for the tip