Apple TV

Stay up-to-date on the latest Apple TV news and learn how to get the most out of your device with our comprehensive tutorials and guides. Discover new features, troubleshoot issues, and explore the best apps and games for your Apple TV.

Carl Icahn puts faith in Apple’s mythical 4K television set and sketchy Apple Car rumor

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Activist investor Carl Icahn today issued yet another open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook. In it, he predictably pushes for an ever expanding increase of Apple's share repurchase program.

More important than that, this time around Icahn is basing his valuation of the Cupertino firm in part on the prospect of the mythical Ultra HD Apple TV set and the Apple Car project, another sketchy rumor that had briefly entertained the press earlier in the year.

The feared investor is now valuing Apple at $1.4 trillion, expressing his belief that AAPL should be trading at more than $100 higher than its current valuation.

Find My Watch, new Complications, Apple TV integration and more coming to Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 18, 2015

Since its April 2015 debut, the Apple Watch to this date runs Apple Watch OS 1.0 as Apple has yet to release an update to the wrist-worn device's operating system. As per a new report filed by 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman, a software update is in the works that'll improve the Apple Watch's connectivity with other devices like the Apple TV.

Other noteworthy perks reportedly include enhancements aimed at strengthening the security of the Apple Watch, boosting built-in health and fitness capability, bolstering Wi-Fi features and tightening integration with third-party applications.

In addition, a new Apple TV hardware with a “fancy” new remote, even tighter Apple Watch integration and support for downloadable applications is on its way, too.

Apple TV picks up new channels in UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland and Scandinavia

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2015

After adding CBS Sports and USA NOW channels for Apple TV owners in the United States last week, Apple has now enabled four localized content sources for fans of its set-top box in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Ireland and Scandinavia, 9to5Mac first noticed.

These newly added channels have been pushed silently over-the-air, but may not be available in your region yet as it typically takes a couple hours for the changes to propagate through the servers. You can also update your Apple TV manually by choosing Software Update in Settings.

Apple TV gains CBS Sports and USA NOW channels

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 5, 2015

As first spotted by Joe Rossignol over at MacRumors, owners of the $69 Apple TV set-top box will find two new icons on their Home screen later today: CBS Sports and USA NOW, the latter featuring content from the USA network. The channels have been added via a silent over-the-air update, without intervention on your part.

If you don't see them yet, however, simply restart your Apple TV or manually run Software Update in the Settings interface of your box. Keep in mind that the new channels should appear for everyone in the United States within the next few hours as these things typically take some time to propagate.

New Apple TV to feature redesigned remote with touchpad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple is going to unveil a new set-top box in June with a redesigned remote control, according to The New York Times. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the publication says the new remote will feature a touchpad for scrolling, at least two physical buttons, and it will be thicker in size than the current aluminum Apple TV remote.

We've heard multiple reports now indicating that Apple is planning to release new TV-related hardware this summer. The device is expected to be introduced at the World Wide Developers Conference with an updated, slimmer design, the faster A8 chip, and an increase in storage to house an upgraded OS and App Store downloads.

Google ends YouTube support on older Apple TVs and pre-iOS 6 hardware due to API changes

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2015

Following up on its original plan to end support for older Apple TVs, iPhones, iPods and iPads due to API changes, YouTube is no longer accessible on second-generation Apple TVs and iOS devices manufactured in 2012 and earlier, as first reported 9to5Mac.

The app has simply disappeared from the Home screen on second-generation devices, with owners of these boxes reporting inability to access the Settings menu option to hide or show it along with other channels.

Apple TV shipping estimates slip to 1-2 weeks ahead of rumored WWDC refresh

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Shipping estimates for the Apple TV slipped to 1-2 weeks on the US Apple Online Store today, further fueling rumors that Apple is getting ready to refresh the device. In March, BuzzFeed reported that the company is planning to unveil a new, slimmer set-top box at WWDC in June.

It's worth noting that some users have reported that the device is showing "in stock" for them online today, but at Check Out many are still seeing later ship times. Regardless, the fluctuation in available stock is consistent with inventory behavior of past Apple products ahead of refreshes.

Time Warner CEO ‘pretty confident’ Apple is launching a TV service

Cody Lee ∙ April 29, 2015

Time Warner's Jeff Bewkes is "pretty confident" Apple is working on a subscription TV service. ABC's Jon Erlichman reports on Medium today that during Time Warner's quarterly earnings call, the CEO said that the Cupertino firm is "very forward thinking" on the future of television.

Bewkes' comments are interesting because Apple and Time Warner recently partnered up to launch 'HBO Now' on Apple TV, and rumors have been bouncing around for years that the two were looking to do TV together. In July 2013, Bloomberg reported they were "close" to reaching a deal.

Apple TV gains NBC Sports Live Extra channel

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 27, 2015

Apple's $69 set-top box has gained yet another content source with Monday's addition of the official television channel from NBC Sports Live Extra. It arrived just in time for Saturday's 141st Kentucky Derby and during the first round of the National Hockey League's playoffs.

NBC Sports Live Extra for Apple TV, much like the existing iOS app, delivers “thousands of live sporting events that air on NBC, NBCSN and Golf Channel,” in addition to live video, at no cost.

No cable or satellite subscription is required to enjoy some content, but you'll need to create an account with the NBC Sports in order to take full advantage of its features. Also, NBC Sports Live Extra users may want to provide their cable subscription details in order to enjoy the vast majority of the more than 3,000 live stream events per year.

Apple takes 15% cut on Apple TV video sign-ups

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 13, 2015

Apple's customary 30 percent cut on content sold through iTunes has been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because participators get to enjoy a frictionless payment system without having to host content themselves or cover bandwidth fees.

A curse because some high-profile sstudios wouldn't bend to Apple's rules of doing business. But the Cupertino firm may have softened its stance, at least when it comes to the Apple TV, as Re/code revealed Monday that Apple is actually taking a fifteen percent cut for premium Apple TV video networks.

New report offers behind-the-scenes look at Apple-HBO deal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 11, 2018

Alongside Tuesday's launch of HBO's new standalone streaming service, HBO Now, Fast Company published a wide-ranging interview with the network's chief executive Richard Plepler. The piece offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Now came about, and more interesting to us, how Apple got involved.

As Plepler tells it, HBO had been working on a streaming service for a few years, with plans to launch in 2016. But due to increasing competition from Netflix, and a looming takeover bid from media mogul Rubert Murdoch, they decided to speed up the timetable. So he gave his old friend Jimmy Iovine a call.

HBO NOW launches on Apple TV, iPhone and iPad with 30-day free trial

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 7, 2015

As previously announced at Apple's March 9 media event, HBO's online-only subscription services has just launched on Apple's $69 set-top box, the iPhone, iPad and on the web ahead of the series premiere of its hit show Game of Thrones on April 12.

The video subscription service will be available exclusively on the Apple TV and the iOS platform for a limited time. A free 30-day trial is available if you sign up in April, after which watching HBO NOW will set you back $14.99 each month.