Substack, a platform known primarily for its newsletters, is launching a TV app for Apple TV and Google TV. Company declare there is a beta app that will allow customers to watch video posts and livestreams on TV created by authors on its platform.
The TV app features a TikTok-like “For You” row that will highlight videos from those creators, along with recommended videos.
Free and paid subscribers can now start using the TV app, with access based on subscription levels. Substack plans to add paid content previews to free subscribers in the future. The platform also plans to add audio submissions and read-alouds, enhanced search and discovery features, in-app upgrades for paid subscriptions, and a dedicated section for each publication where subscribers can explore all videos from specific creators.
The move comes as Substack has invested more in video and livestreaming, as it looks to compete with platforms like YouTube and Patreon for creators and viewers.
Substack starts pushing to video with launch video submission back in 2022. Then it started to allow the creator to monetize videos early last year. At the same time, it is launched live streaming capabilities to all publishers. The company has also embraced short-form video, issuing a Video feeds like TikTok in the app in March 2025.
“Substack is home to the creators of the longest-lasting works that our customers choose to spend their time with,” the company wrote in a post a blog. “Now these amazing videos and livestreams have a natural home on TV, where customers can settle in to see great videos.”
While Substack sees the launch as the next step in its video ambitions, comments surrounding the announcement tell another story. The top comment on the company’s blog post read: “Don’t do this. This is not YouTube. Improve the written word.” Another popular comment was: “You’ve gone from saying that Substack is the best home for longform writing/writers to ‘Substack is the home for the best longform work…’.
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Other comments echoed similar sentiments, questioning why the platform seems to be shifting its focus from writing to video.
It should be noted that Substack is not the only platform that has entered the living room, like Instagram recently opened IG for TVa new experience that allows users to watch Reels on TV, starting with Amazon Fire TV.