Apple Begins Promoting 'Live Tune-In' Feature on New Apple TV Splash Screen

[MacRumors]

Apple today began promoting a new feature on the fourth-generation Apple TV called "Live Tune-In," which lets users jump directly into the live streams of select apps using Siri. The company is specifically promoting CBS, ESPN, and Disney XD as apps that support Live Tune-In, but it hasn't disclosed yet how soon other apps that have live channel functionality will gain the new feature as well.

To use Live Tune-In, Apple TV users can speak into the Siri Remote using commands like "Watch CBS," or specifically ask to "Watch ESPN live." Other features on the new splash screen of the Apple TV include updates that were released in March's tvOS 9.2 update -- including Folders and Bluetooth keyboard support -- but Apple is just now beginning to promote the Live Tune-In ability as an option for those who watch live channels often on the platform.

Some live streaming apps do require separate subscriptions to be able to watch live TV in the first place, so the CBS app won't work for those who don't have a CBS All Access account. Other live streaming-supported apps that don't appear to incorporate Live Tune-In yet include ABC and Food Network.

(Thanks, Eric!)

Article Link: Apple Begins Promoting 'Live Tune-In' Feature on New Apple TV Splash Screen

 

[BJMRamage]

sounds nice. just have to wait on the next version of the AppleTV

 

[MLVC]

How about activating Siri in more countries?

 

[almonde]

Hopefully the Sky News Live stream will support this.

 

[realeric]

Please add "Watch EPL Live".

 

[ike1707]

sounds nice. just have to wait on the next version of the AppleTV

This is my plan as well, I'm gonna squeeze every drop of life from my old Apple TV in hopes that when it keels there's an update to this new generation

 

[ck2875]

Some live streaming apps do require separate subscriptions to be able to watch live TV in the first place, so the CBS app won't work for those who don't have a CBS All Access account

If CBS wonders why their CBS app has 18,475 one-star ratings, this is one of those reasons. I don't think CBS understands that they're the most generic of broadcast tv. If pretty much anyone in the United States (cord-cutters included) want to watch CBS live tv, just tune into the channel. Additionally they make money from the advertisements from Live TV and still want to charge you to watch live tv.

 

[nt5672]

Not going to have a device connected to my TV that locks me into one walled garden. I want competition and I want direct access to the media outlets I value. So make it work on a general computer or I'll continue with antenna TV.

 

[Jakexb]

It's interesting to see broadcast networks finally confront how much viewers value their programming in dollar amounts. They've been making "good enough" programs that are attractive to advertisers, but not the sort of thing that people are going to subscribe with actual dollars. Who is really going to pay $10 a month / $120 a year to watch NCIS: Boise ?

 

[lederermc]

What I would want is a really slick interface to OTA: https://www.tablotv.com

 

[mildocjr]

Not going to have a device connected to my TV that locks me into one walled garden. I want competition and I want direct access to the media outlets I value. So make it work on a general computer or I'll continue with antenna TV.

Yep and I want general access to the 3 channels in HD that are worth watching without spending $70 for 900 other channels I could care less about, but we don't get everything we want. Also this thread is talking about a new feature, it is not a debate on why you hate the Apple TV.

 

[zorinlynx]

If CBS wonders why their CBS app has 18,475 one-star ratings, this is one of those reasons. I don't think CBS understands that they're the most generic of broadcast tv. If pretty much anyone in the United States (cord-cutters included) want to watch CBS live tv, just tune into the channel. Additionally they make money from the advertisements from Live TV and still want to charge you to watch live tv.

What I don't get is why they can't just offer their shows for free on the app with advertisements just like you watch it on live TV.

It's the same damn thing!!

 

[nickhutson]

Yep and I want general access to the 3 channels in HD that are worth watching without spending $70 for 900 other channels I could care less about, but we don't get everything we want. Also this thread is talking about a new feature, it is not a debate on why you hate the Apple TV.

Couldn't care less. Not could. Could caring implies you care a bit, which I don't think is what you meant

What I want is for the Apple TV to actually be of some use in the UK - with more than just the BBC being on it. Until then - not interested.

Nice to see some changes are happening, though...

 

[Juicy Box]

I guess this is a nice addition, but I probably will never use it. Watching live TV is almost as painful as listening to FM radio with all the ads.

It would be nice if Apple would fix all the bugs on TvOS. Between the bugs, lack of good apps(where is Amazon?), and the subpar apps available for the ATV4, I was thinking of going back to my ATV3.

 

[goobot]

What I don't get is why they can't just offer their shows for free on the app with advertisements just like you watch it on live TV.

It's the same damn thing!!

I'm unsure about cbs but a lot of channels get some money from cable companies too. Just pure greed.

 

[coolfactor]

What is wrong with Apple's UI design team? That screen is so ugly! Way too unbalanced, poor font size, poor contrast, ugly shadows... just all looks so wrong! But I guess I should get used to it, since Apple lost their way on UI design a few years ago when they moved towards HTML for the iTunes Store and the App Stores.

 

[jayducharme]

As long as you need a cable subscription for this to work (authenticating with the cable company when the app is launched), this feature is a non-starter. The idea behind the app is great -- finally we can use the Internet to watch live TV. But the huge problem is that most of the U.S. gets its Internet from cable companies who charge more for Internet access if you don't get their bundled cable TV packages.

 

[foxcub6]

Apple today began promoting a new feature on the fourth-generation Apple TV called "Live Tune-In," which lets users jump directly into the live streams of select apps using Siri. The company is specifically promoting CBS, ESPN, and Disney XD as apps that support Live Tune-In, but it hasn't disclosed yet how soon other apps that have live channel functionality will gain the new feature as well.

To use Live Tune-In, Apple TV users can speak into the Siri Remote using commands like "Watch CBS," or specifically ask to "Watch ESPN live." Other features on the new splash screen of the Apple TV include updates that were released in March's tvOS 9.2 update -- including Folders and Bluetooth keyboard support -- but Apple is just now beginning to promote the Live Tune-In ability as an option for those who watch live channels often on the platform.

Some live streaming apps do require separate subscriptions to be able to watch live TV in the first place, so the CBS app won't work for those who don't have a CBS All Access account. Other live streaming-supported apps that don't appear to incorporate Live Tune-In yet include ABC and Food Network.

(Thanks, Eric!)

Article Link: Apple Begins Promoting 'Live Tune-In' Feature on New Apple TV Splash Screen

Would appreciate if instead of looking at new ideas for the aptv the put more though into the mess theve created with slideshow and photos come on Apple get yer finger out

 

[Gorms]

Couldn't care less. Not could. Could caring implies you care a bit, which I don't think is what you meant

What I want is for the Apple TV to actually be of some use in the UK - with more than just the BBC being on it. Until then - not interested.

Nice to see some changes are happening, though...

I'm with you on the UK/Apple TV thing but I think the pressure should be on the content providers rather than Apple here. It drives me mad that ITV, C4 & 5 all have iOS apps but seemingly can't see value/be bothered to port them to ATV

 

[Zorn]

This is pretty awesome. Starting to blur the lines between a cable box and a streaming box.

 

[npmacuser5]

It's interesting to see broadcast networks finally confront how much viewers value their programming in dollar amounts. They've been making "good enough" programs that are attractive to advertisers, but not the sort of thing that people are going to subscribe with actual dollars. Who is really going to pay $10 a month / $120 a year to watch NCIS: Boise ?

Not about one channel, or one show, it is all about the bundle. The bundle, traditional cable, is where the real money lies. If a channel, CBS, wants to break the bundle then in-order to recoup the same monies additional charges will be applied. There is no free lunch by cutting the cord. The advantage of cutting the cord is the experience in using "your" device, adding and deleting content, what maybe described as a better user experience. However, you may not save any monies and in some cases pay more for the experience. I for one like the experience, quality over quantity, choices, and willing to pay the same if not more for it.

 

[macduke]

Now if only more of the channels didn't require a cable subscription. But why should I pay CBS $6/mo to watch their shows which, from what I understand, have several commercial breaks throughout each streaming show? And that doesn't even include the NFL. I'm a cord cutter since 2010 and have never been able to get a CBS OTA signal at my home. I moved here a few years after the digital TV transition and apparently their towers no longer reach the 25 miles to my town of 115,000 after the switch. I even tried using that amplified Leaf antenna. So I can't even watch football, and the stupid streaming NFL apps black me out for being "in market" even though I live 125 miles away from the stadium. And I just refuse to buy cable, especially considering our local provider is likely the spawn of satan and Hitler.

I just wish these companies would launch pure streaming only services for cheaper. I don't need access to a backlog of tens of thousands of episodes. I just want to be able to tune in live sometimes, or maybe even just have access to shows that have aired in the past few weeks in case I missed it. I guess I'm in the minority?

 

[69Mustang]

If CBS wonders why their CBS app has 18,475 one-star ratings, this is one of those reasons. I don't think CBS understands that they're the most generic of broadcast tv. If pretty much anyone in the United States (cord-cutters included) want to watch CBS live tv, just tune into the channel. Additionally they make money from the advertisements from Live TV and still want to charge you to watch live tv.

They don't give a crap about those star ratings. Star ratings don't generate revenue, and as long as cable/satellite pays more money than individuals they're not going to change... or care. CBS doesn't charge you to watch live tv, the cable company does. CBS allows their broadcast to be under than cable umbrella, again cuz money. When they find a way to monetize cord cutters and cable subscribers in equal measure, you'll start to see a change. Until then, their attitude is "Take your free access through OTA antennas and shut up. If you want integrated, easy access get a cable sub."

 

[thekeyring]

Hopefully BBC will add support for this. Also other major channels here in the UK like Channel 4, ITV and the UKTV network.

 

[Bmuir]

I want the Apple TV to have features like the xbox one, where at any point I can say "xbox, watch ESPN" and it flips my TV to that channel. It'd be nice to have the Apple TV plugged in and displayed as the centerpiece input for your TV and just have your apps and cable managed through that.

Make the Apple TV a HDMI hub and put everything into that so apple can manage it all

Edit: correction, it flips the cable box specifically for my setup to the right channel but can work on the TV directly.