Substack has carved out a huge niche for itself as the “quiet corner” of the internet – the place where you can escape the noise of social media and actually read. This is where you sip your morning coffee while scrolling through a thoughtful newsletter from your favorite author. But with the surprise release of its new beta TV app, the platform is making a bold move to leave your inbox and secure a place in your living room, right alongside the giants like Netflix, Hulu and YouTube.
The app, which just launched for Apple TV and Google TV, essentially takes the video content and live streams from the creators you’re already subscribed to and broadcasts it to the largest screen in your home. It’s a smart, calculated move toward what the tech industry calls a “lean back” experience. Instead of hunching over a laptop or squinting at a smartphone screen to watch a forty-minute interview or in-depth lecture, you can now cast it on the TV while you cook dinner, fold laundry, or just relax on the couch.
For the creators themselves, the beauty of this system is its complete lack of friction
You don’t have to go through the hassle of uploading new file formats or learning a complicated new backend system. If they have already posted a video on Substack, it will automatically appear in the TV app for their logged in subscribers. It’s seamless. For viewers, the interface keeps everything clean and familiar by offering a personalized “For You” recommendation series and dedicated pages for browsing all video content from specific publications.
It’s a clear signal that Substack wants to be much more than just a newsletter host – it wants to be a full-fledged media ecosystem. Veteran journalist Jim Acosta, who hosts a daily livestream on the platform, even described the launch as a “groundbreaking moment” for the rise of independent media. And honestly, he’s right. By switching to television, independent journalists and creatives are effectively bypassing traditional broadcast channels and gaining direct access to the most valuable real estate in the modern home. You’re no longer just competing with blogs or Twitter threads; You’re now competing for prime time hours spent in front of the television.
Since the app is currently in the “beta” phase, it is of course still a little simple
You can’t easily search for new content yet, and planned features like audio posts, read-alouds, and in-app subscription upgrades are still in the pipeline. Additionally, while you can watch content you’ve already paid for, the app doesn’t yet support previews for paid content if you’re not a subscriber – although Substack says those fixes are coming soon.
Ultimately, this expansion changes the entire atmosphere of the platform. It bridges the gap between the intimacy of a personal email and the high-octane nature of a television show. It may take a minute to get used to the idea of ”watching” Substack instead of reading it, but as independent media continues to grow and evolve, this seems like the natural next step. It’s not just about reading anymore; it’s about tuning in.
