LG and Apple bring Apple TV Plus to LG’s webOS Hub platform, which is a version of LG’s Smart TV software that it licenses to other TV manufacturers to use in their sets, giving more people access to one of the best streaming services.
The deal means the on-demand movie and TV service can now be found on a wider range of affordable smart TVs that run on the operating system, and it also brings Apple Music, Spotify’s rival, to TVs. The partnership also aims to bring AirPlay and HomeKit smart home media streaming to certain webOS Hub TVs.
The South Korean company, which was previously exclusive to LG TVs, began licensing a scaled-down version of its webOS smart TV operating system to other TV manufacturers a few years ago.
The software, dubbed webOS Hub, has become one of the most used platforms for mid-range and low-end TVs, with 200 partners in more than 100 countries currently licensing the operating system to LG, including Blaupunkt, Aiwa and Hyundai.
This version of webOS unfortunately lacks the design changes and new features you’ll see in the software of the new LG C3 and LG G3 TVs, but at least it gets one feature that was missing.
Analysis: The deal brings Apple closer to Netflix
With an array of well-received and well-watched shows such as Cutoff, Evil sistersAND For all humanityApple TV Plus is making real strides in its fight to become a true alternative to Netflix, especially with the latter’s moves to end account sharing, testing people’s patience.
With eagerly awaited characters like Martin Scorsese Flower Moon Killers and the return of the hit comedy series Ted Lasso is set to land on the service in the coming months, 2023 should be the biggest year yet for the service.
This new deal should go some way to further ensuring that Apple TV Plus is as accessible as Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video as it now offers the service to a much wider audience around the world.
While there is no confirmation as to whether Apple TV Plus support for 4K, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos will be extended to webOS Hub devices, the addition of Home Kit and AirPlay functionality is sure to bring owners a welcome set of new features for affordable TVs with the operating system .
If your TV doesn’t support Apple TV Plus