Apple on Monday rolled out an improved Apple TV app as part of a series of new software releases. The tvOS 17.2 update includes a new sidebar for TV apps. This is designed to better showcase services other than Apple TV Plus and allow users to easily jump to other Apple content such as MLS Season Pass. It’s also an easy shortcut to apps like Disney Plus, Max, Prime Video, and the Apple Store, where you can buy or rent digital titles to stream.
Before the update, live sports and other streaming sources were often buried among original programming on Apple TV Plus. The new interface puts even more emphasis on this third-party content, which is part of the tech giant’s rumored plans to turn the Apple TV app into a streaming hub. allIt’s not just Apple TV Plus.
Another change concerns Apple’s iTunes app, which will now suggest shopping on the Apple TV storefront every time a user attempts to purchase a movie or TV show. Starting Monday, the Apple TV iOS app will appear in the iTunes Store app for iPad and iPhone. When you try to use the iTunes TV Shows or iTunes Movies app on your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD streaming device, you are redirected to the Apple TV app store.
The Store tab now serves as a one-stop shop for video-on-demand in the Apple TV app, allowing users to rent or purchase movies and shows, or sign up for third-party streaming services. From the library section of the app, users can find all their purchased movies and shows.
The new Apple TV app also includes a “Home” section that acts as a sort of homepage for all the content you can watch in the app. Users can browse a personalized collection of shows and movies, including New Shows and Movies, Top Charts, Trending, For You, and more.