Substack Launches Video Streaming App for TVs

If you enjoy getting videos from independent creators, but you’re sick of all the ads in the YouTube app, Substack just dropped its own app for TVs. If you’re not familiar, think of Substack as a platform for creators who offer different subscription options. Some content is free, some is paid. Each creator decides what to include at each level of subscription.

The app is available for Apple TV and Google TV.

In its launch announcement, Substack touted these features of the beta version:

• Watch video posts and livestreams from the creators and publications you’re subscribed to
• Browse a “For You” row that highlights videos from your subscriptions, plus recommended videos
• Open a dedicated page for each subscription to explore more videos from a specific publication

When I fired it up, I found the navigation to be pretty terrible. It’s not really built for discovery. There’s no search bar, for example.

To optimize the TV app, you should sign into your Substack account in a web browser and follow creators there. Once you do, the TV app will pick up their posts and any livestreams they may offer.

Your enjoyment of the Substack TV app will depend on if you’re following video creators, of course. Some creators only use the app to post text.

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The company says the following features will be released in the future:

• Audio posts and read-alouds
• Search and improved discovery
• Previews of paid content for free subscribers
• In-app upgrades to paid subscriptions
• Sections for different shows from one publication

A creator like Dolly Parton has a lot of well-produced video content. Independent media operations like Zeteo also look professional. Then you have a lot of podcasters and “dudes in their basements” creating hastily-made vertical videos off-the-cuff.

One unusual treat I discovered: Michael Moore posted his entire breakthrough film “Roger & Me” on the service. (It’s an excellent watch.)

Another great use-case is the ability to watch live broadcasts.

As I browsed the service, it seems a lot of the professionally produced content is political, as if we can’t find enough of that already sloshing around the internet. But if you’re willing to take the time to curate your feed (and financially support the creators you love), the Substack TV app could be a great addition to your streaming lineup.