Substack Expands to Big Screen: TV App Now Available
In a move to reach a wider audience, Substack, the popular platform for independent writers and publishers, has launched its first-ever television app on Apple TV and Google TV devices. The app brings Substack's unique blend of high-quality video content to living rooms across the country.
The new app centers around video posts and livestreams from creators and publications users follow, with a "For You" section that combines these videos with algorithmic recommendations. Users can browse dedicated pages for each channel, and their viewing access will be tied to their subscription level β meaning if a channel restricts content behind a paywall on the mobile app or website, it will do so here too.
However, Substack has assured users that free subscribers will soon get previews of paid content, while also adding audio posts, search functionality, improved discovery tools, and separate sections for different shows within a single publication. These features are designed to enhance the overall viewing experience without diluting the platform's core focus on written content.
Not everyone is thrilled about the move, with some die-hard fans expressing skepticism about the decision to create a TV app. "This is not YouTube," one commenter noted. "Elevate the written word." However, others see no harm in exploring new ways to consume Substack's existing video content.
For now, users can find and download the Substack TV app by searching for its name on Apple TV or Google TV devices. To sign in, simply scan a QR code with your phone. Whether this move will help Substack attract even more creators and readers remains to be seen β but one thing is certain: the platform's commitment to innovative storytelling and engagement has earned it a loyal following.
The launch of the Substack TV app marks an exciting new chapter for independent media, as former CNN anchor Jim Acosta notes. "This is a game-changing moment for the rise of independent media," he wrote. "Substack has proven that legacy media consumers are not only searching for fresh alternatives; they are finding them."
In a move to reach a wider audience, Substack, the popular platform for independent writers and publishers, has launched its first-ever television app on Apple TV and Google TV devices. The app brings Substack's unique blend of high-quality video content to living rooms across the country.
The new app centers around video posts and livestreams from creators and publications users follow, with a "For You" section that combines these videos with algorithmic recommendations. Users can browse dedicated pages for each channel, and their viewing access will be tied to their subscription level β meaning if a channel restricts content behind a paywall on the mobile app or website, it will do so here too.
However, Substack has assured users that free subscribers will soon get previews of paid content, while also adding audio posts, search functionality, improved discovery tools, and separate sections for different shows within a single publication. These features are designed to enhance the overall viewing experience without diluting the platform's core focus on written content.
Not everyone is thrilled about the move, with some die-hard fans expressing skepticism about the decision to create a TV app. "This is not YouTube," one commenter noted. "Elevate the written word." However, others see no harm in exploring new ways to consume Substack's existing video content.
For now, users can find and download the Substack TV app by searching for its name on Apple TV or Google TV devices. To sign in, simply scan a QR code with your phone. Whether this move will help Substack attract even more creators and readers remains to be seen β but one thing is certain: the platform's commitment to innovative storytelling and engagement has earned it a loyal following.
The launch of the Substack TV app marks an exciting new chapter for independent media, as former CNN anchor Jim Acosta notes. "This is a game-changing moment for the rise of independent media," he wrote. "Substack has proven that legacy media consumers are not only searching for fresh alternatives; they are finding them."