Apple is preparing significant changes to its TV application, according to Mark Gurman’s publication. The main goal of the redesign seems to be consolidating and simplifying how we access different contents and focusing on providing the best possible navigation and experience.
An all-in-one hub for entertainment
The first step is in the consolidation strategy, which would involve eliminating the standalone apps on Apple TV that currently serve for renting and purchasing series and movies. Additionally, the sections dedicated to movies and TV shows in the iTunes Store application on iPhones and iPads would also disappear. The idea? Apple aims to channel all the catalog into the TV app.
The TV app already hosts purchased movies and shows, Apple TV+ content, and third-party channels that we can subscribe to. Instead of dispersing content options across multiple apps, the company aims to make the TV app the epicenter of audiovisual entertainment.
Moving into the redesign aspect, Gurman talks about the incorporation of a side panel in the app that will allow us to navigate between different video categories. This feature, apart from enhancing navigability, will also help us clearly distinguish which content comes directly from Apple and is available through the Apple TV+ subscription, and which requires a separate subscription, purchase, or rental.
This redesign seeks to offer a more intuitive and clearer experience. On one hand, it will simplify search and discovery by focusing on a single app. On the other hand, it will position the TV app as a true entertainment hub, making it easier to access a wide range of content from one place.
It is expected that this change will come with a tvOS update in December. If everything goes as planned, Apple could set a precedent for how to manage audiovisual content in the streaming era. Unlike the Scary Fast event, which is almost here with many updates, in this case, we will have to wait a bit longer to see how the changes unfold.
