According to reports, Apple is preparing to revamp its Apple TV app. As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman on Tuesday, the company intends to centralize its video offerings within the TV app, making it the exclusive hub for all its devices. Drawing from insights provided by “sources familiar with the matter,” Gurman anticipates the launch of a fresh version of the app, expected around December, as part of an upcoming tvOS software update.
This strategic shift involves the removal of the dedicated (iTunes-based) Movies and TV Shows apps from the interface of the Apple TV set-top box. Additionally, it entails the elimination of all video-related sections within the iTunes app on iOS and iPadOS. The TV app, which already replicates the ability to rent and purchase digital video content, appears focused on streamlining operations and eliminating redundancy rather than altering core features.
The updated app is projected to feature a left-side panel for video categories, mirroring the user experience found on platforms like Netflix and other streaming competitors. Apple’s TV app serves as a central repository for video content, encompassing the Apple TV+ subscription service, as well as rented and purchased movies, live sports networks, and compatible third-party services such as Amazon Prime, Paramount+, and Starz.
Apple has significantly ramped up its investments in video content, committing substantial sums to productions like Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which recently debuted in theaters and is set to arrive on Apple TV+ at a later date. Apple TV+ boasts a collection of original series, featuring titles like “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” “Silo,” and “Foundation,” among others. Notably, the company made headlines by canceling “The Problem with Jon Stewart” this month, reportedly due to disagreements surrounding Stewart’s intended editorial focus on topics related to AI and China.
In other Apple news, the company has issued invitations for an event scheduled for October 30, aptly named the “Scary Fast” streaming event. This event is expected to place a spotlight on new Mac offerings, potentially involving an update for the aging iMac series and MacBook Pro, possibly powered by the new M3 chip.
