Having a picture from the selected Up Next show makes it easier to tell which show you have selected, but I look at the What to Watch section all the time anyway. That’s where I found Shantaram which is what I’m currently watching.
I’d prefer they hadn’t made that change, but I spend a good bit of time scrolling around the app looking for things to watch, so it could be worse. At least it’s not (yet) paid advertisements for unrelated products or services. You can always go back to the other screen with all the app icons on it. That one has Up Next at the top. I haven’t seen if it has changed.