After years of lagging behind competitors in the big-screen streaming space, Spotify revealed an extensive rebuild of its Apple TV application on October 27, 2025, featuring a native tvOS interface that promises to transform how users consume music and video content.
The redesigned app, available globally through the Apple App Store, addresses longstanding user complaints about feature gaps compared to rivals like Google TV and Apple Music, with automatic rollout expected to complete by mid-November.
Compatible with tvOS 26, the update leverages new system capabilities including 4K HDR support for enhanced audiovisual quality. The entirely refreshed interface delivers faster and smarter user experiences through a design optimized specifically for large screens. The entirely refreshed design optimizes the experience specifically for large screens, offering faster navigation, improved queue management, and a more visual interface driven by considerable user feedback.
Perhaps most significantly, Spotify has introduced music videos as a key feature, allowing users to “switch to video” for songs with official visual accompaniments. This functionality is currently accessible in 97 markets globally, excluding the United States and Canada, where a gradual rollout is planned.
Spotify’s bold music video pivot brings visual listening to global audiences, with North America soon to follow.
Video podcasts have similarly debuted, complete with adjustable playback speed controls, aligning with emerging living room media consumption trends. The introduction of these multimedia features is expected to generate 47% higher CPM rates compared to audio-only formats in premium subscriptions.
The update enhances playback functionality through improved Spotify Connect integration, enabling remote control via smartphones or tablets. On-screen lyrics and seamless changes between audio and video guarantee uninterrupted entertainment experiences on Apple TVs.
Spotify DJ, an AI-powered feature previously available only on mobile devices, makes its big-screen debut with this update. This intelligent system guides users through personalized music selections, leveraging machine learning to adapt to preferences and provide smarter content curation for both music and podcasts.
Independent artists can now leverage Spotify’s Apple TV platform to submit their music directly for playlist pitching opportunities, significantly increasing their potential audience reach. Artists are encouraged to claim their Spotify for Artists profiles to access valuable analytics tools that can help optimize their promotion strategies on the platform.
The company has also announced a partnership with Netflix, bringing 16 series to Spotify’s platform as video podcasts starting early 2026, further expanding the multimedia content available through this thoroughly overhauled Apple TV application.
