Netflix And Amazon Video Absent From Apple's New TV App

During Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) recent MacBook Pro-focused event, the company announced a new app for its Apple TV device, aptly titled “TV.” It aims to bring all of your current on-demand viewing platforms into one single place, no matter what device you’re watching on.

"We want Apple TV to be the one place to access all of your television," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in unveiling the service. "That's one place to access all of your TV shows and movies. One place to discover great new content."

“TV” will bring all of your favorite shows from all of your favorite subscription or free-to-view on-demand streaming services and merge them together. But there’s a catch: Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Amazon’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) Amazon Video are missing. Yes, you read that right: critically-acclaimed hit series like Stranger Things, House of Cards, and Transparent will not be available on Apple’s new app.

And, this move was not by accident, despite Netflix already being available on Apple TV. Netflix spokesperson Smita Saran told Wired that "I can confirm we are not participating and evaluating the opportunity." Amazon Video’s absence, however, is not as big of a surprise, as the streaming platform had never been previously offered on Apple TV.

Without Netflix and Amazon Video, arguably the two biggest video streaming options apart from Hulu, “TV” will most likely have a limited selection of streaming choices within it. On the bright side, though, it looks like “TV” will offer streaming platforms like the above-mentioned Hulu, CBS, Starz, Showtime, and HBO, so Game of Thrones fans can rejoice.

As of now, the “TV” app will only be available to U.S. customers as a free update for Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad owners. Apple offered no word on when the app will move overseas.

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