Apple to Redesign TV App, Consolidating Video From Multiple Services Into Single Platform

Have you ever wondered why Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass needed different apps to work, despite the fact that they came from the same company? According to a new report from Bloomberg, that state of affairs may not last much longer.

• Apple is planning to launch a new, aggregated version of its Apple TV app.
• The new app will fold content from Apple TV+, iTunes, and more onto a single platform.
• Customers can expect the redesigned Apple TV app later this year.

Love (or Corporate Branding) Will Keep Us Together

The report from Bloomberg indicates that Apple plans to redesign its Apple TV app dramatically before the end of this year. Gone will be separate, dedicated apps that allow customers to rent shows and movies from the iTunes store. The Movies and TV sections from the iTunes app will also be removed for iPhone and iPad users.

The move is intended to make the Apple TV app a one-stop hub for customers seeking video. It will house content from Apple TV+ and presumably MLS Season Pass, and give customers the chance to seek other streaming platforms through aggregation hubs such as Prime Video.

Bloomberg also reports the update will bring the Apple TV app closer in line with Netflix and its user interface. Similar to Netflix, the new Apple TV app will feature a side panel on the left of the screen which will allow users to navigate between the different types of video they’ll be able to access once the update goes to the public.

The report specifies that the update could be ready by December. None of these details have been confirmed by Apple, who declined to comment for Bloomberg’s story.

Meeting Users Where They Are

Customers who use multiple streaming platforms have been begging for greater aggregation to make streaming easier and less time-consuming. This is a baby step in the right direction for Apple, but a step nonetheless that will help users find and access video titles more quickly.

Apple engineers have been busy at work of late, as the company’s tvOS 17 update included several new features that users were hoping for. That update was released in September, and included FaceTime compatibility for Apple TV devices, a remote finder for Siri remotes, and much more.

Disney is also expected to consolidate its streaming services into a single app this year, showing that Apple’s tactics could signify a growing trend in the industry. Streamers know they have to do anything they can to keep users engaged, or risk rising churn numbers, so the consolidation of multiple services owned by one company onto one app is a wise move.