Skip to Content

Eddy Cue Explains Why Apple TV+ is Now Apple TV

On the latest episode of The Town podcast, Apple's services chief Eddy Cue explained why the company decided to rename Apple TV+ to Apple TV.

Apple TV Color
According to Cue, many people already referred to Apple TV+ as Apple TV, so the company finally decided to embrace the simpler name.

"We just decided," he told host Matthew Belloni.

"We all called it Apple TV and we said, given where we are today, it's a great time to do it," added Cue. Launched on November 1, 2019, Apple's streaming service is now well established, and it offers a growing library of award-winning series.

Nonetheless, the new name may cause confusion, as there is now an Apple TV streaming service, an Apple TV app, and Apple TV hardware.

Cue argued that the Apple TV box is actually named the Apple TV 4K nowadays.

"Our hardware is called Apple TV 4K for your TV," he said. "I think that's fine, and the app is called Apple TV. It's been called Apple TV on our third-party products as well, so I don't think that'll be a problem at all."

The new name has yet to appear in most places, but the changeover should happen soon.

Cue's comments were first reported by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...
iphone fold text

iPhone Fold to Feature iPad-Style Multitasking and Layouts

Wednesday March 11, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
The upcoming foldable iPhone that Apple plans to debut this September will operate like a cross between an iPhone and an iPad, reports Bloomberg. When the device is opened up, the UI will have an iPad-like layout that supports multitasking with two apps side-by-side. No iPhone to date has supported running multiple apps on the display at the same time, beyond simple picture-in-picture mode...

Top Rated Comments

21 weeks ago
[HEADING=2]Eddy Cue Explains Why Apple TV+ is Now Apple TV[/HEADING]

"We just decided,"
Score: 60 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 weeks ago
It's a big confusing mess.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dlondon Avatar
21 weeks ago
I don't think anyone ever calls the hardware 'Apple TV 4K' unless you work in an Apple Store or write tech reviews.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 weeks ago

Nonetheless, the new name may cause confusion, as there is now an Apple TV streaming service, an Apple TV app, and Apple TV hardware.
This is exactly analogous of the situation at Apple when Steve Jobs came back in at the end of 1996. They had a very confusing slate of products, poorly differentiated, poorly marketed.

Jobs wiped out the existing lineup, and introduced the "Four Quadrants" strategy that helped right the ship. Mac had 4 products: consumer portable (iBook), professional portable (PowerBook / MacBook), consumer desktop (iMac), professional desktop (PowerMac).

They need someone with clarity again at the top of the org. Tim Cook and Eddie Cue aren't such people.
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 weeks ago
Well that cleared things up, thanks Ed 🤔
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
21 weeks ago


[HEADING=2]Eddy Cue Explains Why Apple TV+ is Now Apple TV[/HEADING]

"We just decided,"
I think this was the same logic that brought us Liquid Glass. lol
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)