CES 2020 News: LG TVs to support Apple TV on 2020, 2019 and 2018 models

Access to Apple’s content without Apple hardware

by Andy Bassett

While LG is wowing attendees at CES 2020 with its latest ‘X’ range of OLED TVs and new 8K NanoCell models, it also announced that these will support Apple TV. Great news for those who can get their hands on the very latest in LG’s TV tech when they’re released. But what about those with older models?

LG’s press release reveals that aside from 2020’s OLED and NanoCell models, older webOS enabled 2018 and 2019 models will also receive an update bestowing Apple TV upon them during 2020.

The section of the press release containing the announcement is below. 


LG's award-winning webOS smart TV platform will bring 2020 LG OLED and LG NanoCell TVs a plethora of programming from the constantly-growing number of top global content providers through apps and services such as Disney+, Netflix and CBS All Access. New for 2020, the Apple TV app allows customers to subscribe and watch Apple TV+ and Apple TV channels as well as access their iTunes video library and buy or rent more than 100,000 films and TV shows. Customers with 2018 and 2019 LG TV models will also be able to enjoy the Apple TV app this year.


Once available, viewers will be able to access Apple’s TV channels - which may require paid access - and to subscribe to its new streaming service, Apple TV+. They will also be able to access music and films in their iTunes library through the app, and some of these movies are available in 4K HDR.

LG TV owners may have felt a touch aggrieved that Apple TV was available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and recent Sony and Samsung TVs on the launch day of Apple TV+, meaning that owners of these products could get straight into The Morning Show while LG owners would have to wait.

In fact, since LG’s 2019 models have been updated with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit capabilities, it’s easy enough to stream AppleTV from newer iPhones, iPads or macOS Catalina devices but that’s still an added layer of faffing about for LG owners and still denies access to LG’s 2018 models which don’t support AirPlay 2.

While having the Apple TV app on your smart TV is a convenient way of accessing Apple’s content without purchasing the necessary hardware, it does provide a slightly different experience in that it will allow you access to iTunes, Apple TV+ originals and other channels to which you have subscribed but it does not integrate with other streaming apps like Amazon Prime Video or Hulu to keep a continuously updated Up Next section on the Watch Now page. Most LG TV owners will probably feel that’s a reasonable trade-off.

If you’re an LG TV owner with a 2018 or 2019 model, why not let us know what you think about getting your hands on the Apple TV app for your current LG set?

Source: Press release, MacWorld.com
Image Source: LG
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