Substack Expands Horizons with New TV App for Apple TV and Google TV
Substack, traditionally recognized for its newsletter services, has unveiled a beta version of its TV application, now accessible on Apple TV and Google TV platforms. This strategic move enables subscribers to view video content and livestreams produced by authors directly on their television screens.
Key Features of the Substack TV App:
– Personalized Content Feed: The app introduces a For You section, reminiscent of TikTok’s interface, showcasing videos from creators that align with the user’s interests, alongside curated recommendations.
– Subscription-Based Access: Both free and paid subscribers can utilize the TV app, with content availability corresponding to their subscription level. Substack has plans to offer previews of premium content to free subscribers in upcoming updates.
– Future Enhancements: The platform is set to incorporate additional features, including audio posts, read-aloud functionalities, improved search and discovery tools, in-app options to upgrade to paid subscriptions, and dedicated sections for each publication, allowing subscribers to explore all videos from specific creators.
This development is part of Substack’s broader initiative to diversify its offerings and compete with established platforms like YouTube and Patreon. The company’s foray into video content began in 2022 with the introduction of video posts. By early 2025, Substack enabled creators to monetize their videos and expanded livestreaming capabilities to all publishers. In March 2025, the platform further embraced short-form video by launching a TikTok-inspired video feed within its app.
In a blog post, Substack emphasized its commitment to quality content, stating, Substack is the home for the best longform—work creators put real care into and subscribers choose to spend time with. Now these thought-provoking videos and livestreams have a natural home on the TV, where subscribers can settle in for the extended viewing that great video deserves.
However, the introduction of the TV app has elicited mixed reactions from the Substack community. Some users express concerns about the platform’s shift from its original focus on written content to video. A notable comment from the company’s blog reads: Please don’t do this. This is not YouTube. Elevate the written word. Another user remarked: You guys have gone from saying Substack is the best home for longform writing/writers to ‘Substack is the home for the best longform—work…’. I get trying to evolve, but this just seems like another venture capital-fueled idea.
This sentiment underscores a broader debate about the evolution of content platforms and the balance between maintaining core values and adapting to new media trends.
