Substack has carved out a massive niche for itself as the “quiet corner” of the internet—the place you go to escape the noise of social media and actually read. It is where you sip your morning coffee while scrolling through a thoughtful newsletter from your favourite writer. But with the surprise launch of its new beta TV app, the platform is making a bold play to leave your inbox and claim a spot in your living room, right next to the titans like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube.
The app, which has just rolled out for Apple TV and Google TV, basically takes the video content and livestreams from the creators you already subscribe to and splashes them onto the biggest screen in your house. It is 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 a deep-dive lecture, you can now throw 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 the complete lack of friction
They don’t have to jump through hoops, upload new file formats, or learn a complicated new backend system. If they have already posted a video to Substack, it automatically populates in the TV app for their logged-in subscribers. It is seamless. For viewers, the interface keeps things clean and familiar, offering a personalized “For You” row of recommendations and dedicated pages to browse all the video content from specific publications.
It is a clear signal that Substack wants to be viewed as much more than just a newsletter host—it aims to be a full-blown media ecosystem. Veteran journalist Jim Acosta, who hosts a daily livestream on the platform, even described the launch as a “game-changing moment” for the rise of independent media. And honestly, he has a point. By moving onto the TV, independent journalists and creators are effectively bypassing traditional broadcast channels and getting direct access to the most valuable real estate in the modern home. They are no longer just competing with blogs or Twitter threads; they are now competing for the prime-time hours you spend watching television.
Of course, since the app is currently in “beta,” it is still a little bare-bones
You can’t easily search for new content just yet, and planned features like audio posts, “read-alouds,” and in-app subscription upgrades are still in the pipeline. Also, while you can watch content you have already paid for, the app doesn’t yet support previews for paid content if you aren’t a subscriber—though Substack says these fixes are coming down the road soon.
Ultimately, this expansion changes the entire vibe of the platform. It bridges the gap between the intimacy of a personal email and the high-engagement nature of a television show. It might take a minute to get used to the idea of “watching” Substack rather than reading it, but as independent media continues to grow and evolve, this feels like the natural next step. It is no longer just about reading; it is about tuning in.