New format

Thank you for loyalty and feedback on the new Menu format, @larstats. Although the UI was designed to improve your experience, we understand that getting used to the changes is hard. We will share your input with our team for future update consideration. Charles, DIRECTV Community Team

It's not change, it is actually a bad design, as has been posted many times.

Next, why not share these ideas with a group of actual users, like people who have used the system for many years, and try to use all of it's features.

Notice no one has come forwards (no user) and said it is great.

Greg, user since mid 1990's...

Yes many do not like it. However, historically people rather complain than give kudos, props, compliments, etc. So such positive comments often don't happen even when they are out there.

(Not disputing people's opinion of the change, just pointing out you'll more often than not get negative comments than positive ones in practically any industry).

A lot of companies prefer to keep such info in-house for many reasons (proprietary info, lack of accountability and reduced oversight with outside users, etc.).  Whatever DirecTV's exact reasons, I do not know. However, if one really wants to be part of the design process, they are free to apply to work there if they feel their input is that valuable to DirecTV.