News
Silent Apple TV update brings TV show purchases [Updated x2]
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Friday, December 16, 2011
News Category: Apple TV
A silent, server-side update to the Apple TV has added on-device TV show purchasing to the set-top box in several countries. Engadget reports that Apple TV users in Canada, Australia, and the U.K. are now able to purchase TV shows on the device, and stream any past TV show purchases directly from iCloud to the Apple TV. The same functionality was rolled out to Apple TV units in the U.S. earlier this year.
Update: The TV Shows menu has since disappeared on Apple TV units set to access the Canadian, Australian, and U.K. stores; it is unclear whether this morning’s appearance was a planned rollout that has been pulled due to a technical issue, a premature launch, or something else entirely.
Update x2, December 16: Apple officially rolled out the feature last night to various international locales.
Related Stories
- ESPN in talks with Apple to bring content to Apple TV
- Foxconn making preparations for Apple HDTV
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 5.0.1
- Kanex ATV Pro solves Apple TV to VGA dilemma
- Third-gen Apple TV found to have dual-core A5
- Apple supplier Hon Hai takes large stake in Sharp
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Pulp adds iCloud sync, new Home Page
- WordPress for iOS adds Push Notifications
- Sony launches Music Unlimited for iOS
- Apple device poll ends, computing poll begins
- Fruit Ninja adds new features and power-ups
- Apple to sell Nest Learning Thermostat
- Third-gen iPad to launch in Guam, Philippines May 29
- Apple tweaks App Store with Editors’ Choice, Free picks
- Panic releases Diet Coda
- Booq rolls out new Folio for iPad
Recent Reviews
- Pelican i1075 Hardback Case for iPad
- Skinit Skins for iPad (3rd-Generation)
- Spigen SGP Steinheil Ultra Optics Screen Protector for iPad (3rd-Gen)
- ZeroChroma VarioProtect for iPhone 4/4S
- BodyGuardz UltraTough Clear Skins for iPad (3rd-Gen)
- Wrapsol Original + Ultra Hybrid Protective Film for iPad 2/iPad (3rd-Gen)
- iBattz Mojo Removable Power Card Wallet
- dreamGEAR i.Sound Power View Pro S 2.1A Dual Charging Dock
- dreamGEAR i.Sound Universal Power View
- Sena Cases Florence Portfolio for iPad (3rd-Gen)
Recent Articles
- Removing music from iTunes after copying to iPod
- iOS Gems: Farm 123, Facebook Camera, Scribblenauts, Shoot the Zombirds + Virtua Tennis Challenge
- iTunes TV show size totals don’t match actual disk storage
- Consolidating Multiple iTunes Libraries
- Converting Purchased Videos to 1080p HD
- Find My Friends always reports home location
- Creating an iTunes Match library from an external hard drive
- Benefits of keeping apps in iTunes when using iCloud
- Recovering iTunes from an External Hard Drive
- Normalizing volume levels for Voice Memos


1
NO UPDATE for Canada!! What gives???
Posted by bobdog on December 8, 2011 at 5:25 PM (PDT)
2
As per the additional “Update” note in the article, it looks like it was a glitch of some kind on Apple’s end. The “TV Shows” menu option was there briefly yesterday morning, albeit with very limited content appearing, but had disappeared across the board by mid-afternoon.
Posted by Jesse Hollington in Toronto on December 9, 2011 at 2:05 PM (PDT)
3
It looks like you can now do for tv what you can for music and re download purchased content direct to the iPad. Only films to go and apple tv 2 will be as useful as apple tv 1.
Posted by Tony Taylor on December 18, 2011 at 1:26 AM (PDT)
4
The features are there but the ‘cloud’ service is terrible. Downloads are slow and failure prone.
Posted by Adrian Lane on December 20, 2011 at 2:29 PM (PDT)