Prime Highlight

• Substack has launched a beta TV app that brings creator-made videos and livestreams to Apple TV and Google TV, signaling a deeper push into video content.
• The move strengthens Substack’s competition with platforms like YouTube and Patreon as it expands beyond newsletters into full multimedia experiences.

Key Facts

• The TV app includes a TikTok-style “For You” row for video discovery and is available to both free and paid subscribers, with content access based on subscription level.
• Substack plans to add features such as audio posts, read-aloud options, improved discovery tools, and dedicated creator sections in future updates.

Background

Substack, best known as a platform for newsletters and long-form writing, has launched a TV app for Apple TV and Google TV. The company announced on Thursday that the beta version will let subscribers watch video posts and livestreams created by writers and creators on the platform, directly on their television screens.

The new TV app features a TikTok-style “For You” row that highlights recommended videos from Substack creators. Subscribers can also browse other suggested video content based on their interests. Both free and paid users can start using the app, though access to certain content depends on subscription level. Substack said it plans to add paid content previews for free users in the future.

The company also shared plans to expand the TV app’s features. These include audio posts, read-aloud options, better search and discovery tools, in-app upgrades to paid subscriptions, and dedicated sections for each publication. These sections will allow viewers to explore all video content from a specific creator in one place.

The launch comes as Substack increases its focus on video and livestreaming. The platform wants to compete more directly with YouTube and Patreon, which give creators many ways to reach and earn from their audiences. Substack first added video posts in 2022 and started letting creators make money from videos in early 2024. Around the same time, it rolled out livestreaming tools to all publishers. In March 2025, the company also launched a short-form video feed similar to TikTok.

In a blog post, Substack said the TV app gives long-form videos and livestreams a natural home, where viewers can spend more time watching.

Substack is not alone in targeting the living room. Instagram recently launched a TV experience that allows users to watch Reels on devices like Amazon Fire TV, marking a wider trend of social platforms expanding to television screens.