Malcolm Owen
Owners of Android TV and Google TV devices are no longer able to buy or rent films from the Apple TV app, with customers forced to purchase using Apple's other platforms.
The Apple TV app is available on a wide range of smart TVs, streaming set-top boxes and other devices, providing access to programming from Apple's storefronts. A recent update to the app seems to have locked out users of some platforms from being able to make purchases within the app.
Options to buy or rent films or TV shows from the Apple TV app on Android TV and Google TV devices has been removed, replaced instead by a new "How to Watch" button, reports FlatPanelsHD. Selecting the button tells users "You can buy, rent, or subscribe in the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, and other streaming devices."
The change only affects new attempts to buy or rent from the platforms, leaving Apple TV+ content untouched. Any purchases or rentals previously paid for before the update, or via other platforms, can still be viewed on the affected devices.
There is no official reason given for the change, but it is likely to be down to the constant battle over commissions.
Like the App Store, Google charges a 30% commission fee on in-app purchases for apps running on its platforms, including Android TV and Google TV. It is plausible that Apple would be subject to such a fee, or a discounted rate if one was agreed with through Google, for content sold through the Apple TV app.
For the moment, it seems that other third-party platforms that the Apple TV+ app is available on are not subject to the same restrictions. This includes Samsung and LG smart TVs, as well as Roku TVs.
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7 Comments
So it looks like Apple is trying to avoid paying 30% to Google but wants its 30% from Epic?
Like the App Store, Google charges a 30% commission fee on in-app purchases for apps running on its platforms, including Android TV and Google TV. It is plausible that Apple would be subject to such a fee, or a discounted rate if one was agreed with through Google, for content sold through the Apple TV app.
A key difference is that all other movie and TV purchase and rental platforms - Google, Amazon, Disney, Vudu, FandangoNOW, RedBox, Microsoft etc. allow you to purchase and rent movies and TV shows through the browser. Apple is the only one that forces you to own their hardware - a MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV or (for as long as they are still being made) iPod - in order to purchase or rent TV shows. There is absolutely no technical reason for not having a web storefront as literally everyone else has offered it from day one and in some cases for approaching 15 years.
Don't get all up-in-arms, I am not saying that Apple is doing anything illegal or unethical here. After all, plenty of alternatives - the 7 listed above and more - do exist. And I would propose that the primary reason for Apple TV on a Google TV device anyway is to watch Ted Lasso. I am just pointing out that the result of avoiding the 30% means that one is now required to own Apple hardware to purchase Apple content, a requirement that other platform providers do not impose.