Substack unveils a television application

Substack Unveils TV App for Apple TV and Google TV

Substack, widely recognized for its newsletter platform, has introduced a new TV app available for both Apple TV and Google TV. According to the company’s announcement, this beta release enables subscribers to view video posts and livestreams from Substack creators directly on their televisions.

The app includes a “For You” section reminiscent of TikTok, showcasing a curated selection of videos from creators as well as personalized recommendations.

Both free and paid users can access the TV app, with available content depending on their subscription level. Substack has plans to introduce previews of paid content for free users in the future. Additional features in development include support for audio posts and read-alouds, improved search and discovery tools, the ability to upgrade subscriptions within the app, and dedicated pages for each publication where fans can browse all videos from a specific creator.

This expansion reflects Substack’s growing investment in video and livestreaming, as the company aims to compete with platforms like YouTube and Patreon for the attention of both creators and audiences.

Substack’s journey into video began in 2022 with the rollout of video posts. Early last year, the platform enabled creators to earn revenue from videos, and soon after, livestreaming became available to all publishers. In March 2025, Substack also introduced a short-form video feed similar to TikTok within its app.

“Substack is the destination for high-quality longform content—work that creators invest significant effort into and that subscribers choose to engage with,” the company shared in a recent blog post. “Now, these engaging videos and livestreams have a fitting place on TV, allowing subscribers to enjoy extended viewing experiences.”

Despite Substack’s enthusiasm for its new direction, user feedback on the announcement has been mixed. One top comment on the company’s blog post states: “Please don’t do this. This is not YouTube. Elevate the written word.” Another popular response reads: “You’ve shifted from saying Substack is the best home for longform writing to ‘Substack is the home for the best longform—work…’. I understand the desire to evolve, but this feels like another idea driven by venture capital.”

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Many other commenters echoed concerns about the platform’s apparent shift from its writing-focused roots to an increased emphasis on video content.

It’s important to note that Substack isn’t alone in bringing social content to the living room. Instagram has recently introduced IG for TV, allowing users to watch Reels on television, starting with Amazon Fire TV.