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Does anyone use the TV app?

ra4oasis

ra4oasis

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 10, 2010
356
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As much as I like the idea of having one app where I go to for everything, I still don't find myself using the TV app. Not only does it not work with everything (mainly, Netflix), I can't browse things like my watchlist from apps such as Hulu or Prime Video. So I could use it to continue watching stuff I've already started in TV, I still have to go to the other apps to start something new.

Adding sports and news helps, but there is still a LOT of room for improvement before I use it regularly.
 
I don't use it. I like the idea of it, but I think it is poorly executed. Like you said, not having full support of all the big streaming apps is a problem.

But, a bigger problem with the TV App is that there is no profile/multiple-user support for it. There needs to be either built-in support for multiple users in tvOS, or a way for the TV App to be able to choose which profile to use when choosing something to watch in the TV App.

Example, if my wife was the last person to watch Hulu, and I use the TV App to watch a tv show on Hulu, it will show up on her profile.

This is also an issue with universal search too.
 
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every time I want to see if I forgot to watch a rental

I don't even put apps in folders any more but just use search to find not used much apps
 
The only time I was using it was the check how many 4K/HDR movies I had in my library as and when previous purchases had been upgraded, or downgraded in certain circumstances. Not that has been removed I don’t see any use for it. Very messy in its layout.
 
So, I actually use it. But I have improvements I’d like to see. For one the lack of Netflix really sucks. Two the inconsistency between “up next” and my “wish list” in movies is pretty annoying. Finally, it’s be nice if they added a row for each of your frequently used apps with featured content from that service.
 
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I use it all the time... maybe it’s because I do still watch some network shows, or maybe it’s because I don’t like binging shows, but I find the idea of an universal show list that updates automatically incredibly useful. I know any shows in the beginning of the Watch Now list are shows that recently updated or got added, and I know that shows at the back of the list are shows I need to catch up on or that I haven’t watched in a while.

I prefer to search for shows or movies in the TV app since it will show me if they are available on any of the other apps.

Like others, I wish Netflix was supported, and I wish I could reorder shows in the Watch Now section. I also treat the Watch Now section as a placeholder for movies I want to watch, and the limit of visible items on the Apple TV is annoying. Other than that, the Watch Now list works for me (and the syncing with other iOS devices is a bonus).
 
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The real problem is too many apps not buying in and supporting it.
A similar story is true with full single sign on support.

Related to that, the TV App concept I think was designed for a world where Apple has its own streaming service to offer.
 
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I use it from time to time, but as 95% of my viewing is Netflix it's not exactly an essential app.

I can see why Netflix wanted no part of it. Netflix have already won, so why mix their content in with the losers?
 
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Sakurambo-kun said:
I use it from time to time, but as 95% of my viewing is Netflix it's not exactly an essential app.

I can see why Netflix wanted no part of it. Netflix have already won, so why mix their content in with the losers?
Click to expand...

Great point about Netflix and really it applies to all of the different services competing with each other.

Unfortunately what's in the best interest of the users in terms of combining things into one interface is completely at odds with each of the different services individually competing for users.

It really is challenging for these different providers of content who want to believe that we care where it comes from but we ultimately care about the content irrespective of the brand associated with it
 
ra4oasis said:
As much as I like the idea of having one app where I go to for everything, I still don't find myself using the TV app. Not only does it not work with everything (mainly, Netflix), I can't browse things like my watchlist from apps such as Hulu or Prime Video. So I could use it to continue watching stuff I've already started in TV, I still have to go to the other apps to start something new.

Adding sports and news helps, but there is still a LOT of room for improvement before I use it regularly.
Click to expand...


I relate the TV app , much like an constantly updating TVGuide.

It will make good use, (providing the info is there and known about) ...I never used it, because i just prefer the old way of navigating through apps

Sakurambo-kun said:
I use it from time to time, but as 95% of my viewing is Netflix it's not exactly an essential app.

I can see why Netflix wanted no part of it. Netflix have already won, so why mix their content in with the losers?
Click to expand...

Same here, however by *not participating* that's always gonna stand out when you may need it most.

Winners and looses should collaborate.
 
I use it and found it does have an advantage in some cases instead of going to the TV shows purchased section.
I purchased the original Thunderbirds series and was watching fine without issue..... well so I thought.
When the TV app arrived I noticed that my previously watched episodes seemed to be all over the place when you look at the episode list.
On further investigation with the help of Google and then looking back at the dates next to the episodes I found that the iTunes episode order was all mixed up, yet the TV app had the episodes in the correct order.
I also quite like that when you watch something via catchup that’s only on weekly it automatically shows the next episode in Up Next once it’s available to be watched.
 
What a useless app. It shows what I am useless but if I choose to watch and the app logs me out it forces me to log in just to bring me back to the logged in app home screen where I still have to select the program. It is worse with profiles like Hulu it will just bring me to the home screen.

The same behavior happens with the FTV so called integrated service which has Netflix but it is still the same a dumb cable authorized app logged me out again so going into the program forces a log in and brings me to the app home screen. Same with NF brings me to my choose a profile and same thing app home screen.
 
I use it all the time, would love to see the NHL App integrated along with Netflix. I find that it's a lot more visually pleasing to look at than the tvOS Homescreen as well.

Roland
 
It seems like a half-baked idea that should have been rejected somewhere along the way. You can see what the pitch was -- one app that integrates all of your apps and adapts to your content -- but this requires much more widespread support than actually exists and it requires that what people are seeing in the app accurately reflects their interests/history. As others have noted, that second part is defeated completely by the lack of user profiles. It's pretty jarring to see large graphics of kids shows right next to an up-next graphic for an HBO movie, for example.

Worse, by pulling us out of our apps it undermines the central premise of the Apple TV, which is the idea that apps are the next step in the evolution of TV viewing, and it replaces apps that worked perfectly well with one that doesn't.

Overall, while parts of the TV app have promise, it should have been left (for now, at least) on the cutting room floor.
 
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bluespark said:
Overall, while parts of the TV app have promise, it should have been left (for now, at least) on the cutting room floor.
Click to expand...

Completely agree - They never should have shipped the TV App once they weren't going to be able to offer their own OTT Streaming TV service, which clearly the App was designed for.

They will never get more widespread buy-in from Apps like Netflix/etc as it's in those Apps best interest to keep their paying customers within their own App experience. In short, they should shelve it right now until it's a better and more useful experience.

It's really an indictment on Apple with all the people I know who have folders for all the Apple crApps on their devices. The first thing so many that I know do, is put all those Apple junk apps in a drawer and hide them away. Granted not all of them, but an awful lot of them.
 
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i use it sometimes. but it seems mostly a "sales pitch" to either buy from iTunes or use supported apps.
I don't have subscription to streaming services. it is nice to pick up a movie previously started (either by my kids or myself/wife) or to pick up a TV series we are watching.

BUT, at times I will select the show and instead of jumping back in, it asks "which service would you like to view it with: iTunes / HBO / Hulu / Netflix" how about I continue watching the series like i was watching it last night and the night before...from the iTunes-purchased series.
 
I didn't like it at 1st but I forced myself to use it. The What to Watch section is good and I'm happy with it.
 
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