Spotify just launched a completely redesigned Apple TV app that finally brings video podcasts and music videos to the big screen. The update addresses years of user complaints about the platform's lackluster tvOS experience and puts it on par with Google TV's feature set. For Spotify's 500+ million users, this means your living room just became a lot more entertaining.
Spotify is finally giving Apple TV users what they've been demanding for years - a streaming app that doesn't make you want to throw your remote at the screen. The music giant rolled out a completely rebuilt tvOS app that brings video podcasts and music videos to your living room, marking the biggest upgrade to Spotify's TV experience since the platform launched on Apple TV.
The timing couldn't be better. While Apple continues pushing its own streaming services and Netflix dominates video content, Spotify is carving out its own multimedia niche. The company says it rebuilt the app "from the ground up for a faster, smarter, more visual experience" - a not-so-subtle admission that the old version was pretty rough around the edges.
Users have been vocal about their frustrations. Reddit threads and tech forums have been filled with complaints about everything from clunky navigation to missing features that Google TV users have enjoyed for months. One particularly pointed Reddit post called the old Spotify Apple TV app "crap compared to" other platforms, highlighting the gap between Spotify's mobile excellence and its TV shortcomings.
The rollout is happening in waves. Some users got early access over the past few days, but everyone can now download the update through Apple's App Store. If you're using automatic updates, expect the new experience by mid-November - just in time for holiday streaming sessions.
Here's where it gets interesting for content creators and podcast fans: video podcasts work seamlessly with speed controls, letting you binge your favorite shows at 1.5x or slow down complex discussions. This comes right as Spotify announced a major partnership with Netflix and The Ringer to bring 16 video podcast series to the streaming platform starting in 2026, including The Bill Simmons Podcast and shows covering NFL, NBA, Fantasy Football, and F1.
Music videos are rolling out globally but with a catch - they're not available in the US or Canada yet. The feature has already expanded to 97 markets worldwide, though with a limited catalog exclusively for Spotify Premium subscribers. When available, you'll see a "switch to video" prompt when listening to songs that have accompanying visuals in Spotify's catalog.
