LG bringing Apple TV app to smart TVs in 2020

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2020
Owners of LG smart televisions will soon be able to watch content from the Apple TV+ service without requiring a separate set-top box, with the South Korean electronics company bringing the Apple TV app to a number of screens running webOS.




Part of a number of announcements made at CES 2020, LG televisions will be the latest venue for Apple customers to be able to watch Apple TV content directly from the television. Rather than relying on AirPlay, an Apple TV set-top box, or another piece of external hardware, the update will bring the Apple TV app to the webOS smart TV interface.

The Apple TV app will allow customers to use Apple TV , with the ability to subscribe to the streaming service and to sign up to other Apple TV channels also possible on the LG televisions. Access to the iTunes video library is also provided, with more than 100,000 films and TV shows available to view from Apple's digital storefront.

LG did not advise exactly when the Apple TV app will be brought to its television lineup, but it will take place sometime this year. The update will not only be for new televisions, as 2018 and 2019-era LG TV models are set to gain the app as well.

Previously, LG provided support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit in select 2019 TV models.

The addition of support from LG follows similar efforts in the last year by Samsung, Vizio, and Sony to do the same to their televisions.

For the manufacturers, they can offer customers more content options, as well as access to content they may already own in Apple's ecosystem. For Apple, it expands the customer base for Apple TV+, as well as the possible reach of Apple TV Channel subscriptions.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    libertyforalllibertyforall Posts: 1,418member
    Coming to Vizio soon too:  

    Apple TV+ - Support ' VIZIOhttps://support.vizio.com › article › Apple-TVEXT
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 5
    martinxyzmartinxyz Posts: 98member
    Any chance this will be an update available for LG TVs purchased in, say, November last year...
    (I knew this would happen)
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 5
    cgWerkscgWerks Posts: 2,952member
    That's nice, but given the track record of these TV makers, it is best to just update firmware via Ethernet and never connect them to your WiFi.
    Then, get XYZ TV box-thing, and use it. Otherwise, you never know what data is being 'phoned'-home.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 5
    poisednoisepoisednoise Posts: 73member
    Maybe it’s the school-teacher in me, but I never understand people who post queries/complaints without actually reading the article.

    martinxyz said:
    Any chance this will be an update available for LG TVs purchased in, say, November last year...
    (I knew this would happen)
    AppleInsider said:


    LG did not advise exactly when the Apple TV app will be brought to its television lineup, but it will take place sometime this year. The update will not only be for new televisions, as 2018 and 2019-era LG TV models are set to gain the app as well. [my emphasis]

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 5
    BilWilBilWil Posts: 1member
    I just bought two Roku streaming sticks for my LG 65 inch TVs that I purchased in November 2019. Spectrum cable told me that unless I have Roku or AppleTV that my LG TVs will not have the spectrum app on it. They say if I had purchased a Samsung TV that Roku would be on there and I can get the Spectrum app. So should I return my Roku streaming sticks and wait for the Apple TV to be updated on my LG TVs to gain access to Spectrum cable App? Do I still need to use the Roku streaming stick’s even when the Apple TV gets added on? Is there any reason to keep the Roku streaming stick with the Apple TV on my LG tv? Thank you,
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