Channels 7.0 for Apple TV & iOS

Rich art, movie extras, multiview, and intro detection. Channels is 10 years old now, and this is 7.0 for Apple TV & iOS.

This fall makes it 10 years that we’ve been delivering you the best TV experience possible. So to celebrate, we’ve been working hard on Channels 7.0 to bring you a fresh new look and feel.

Let’s dig in.

Rich Art & New Layouts

Movies and TV shows are now gorgeous and meta-rich making browsing your library a joy.

Channels now displays beautiful backdrops, logos, cast & crew information, and more. But it’s not just about looking good, these new layouts do an even better job of helping you discover your library.

Movies

Movies have never looked better in Channels. The new layout surfaces more information, including cast, directors, and writers.

It goes further than looking great, it helps you discover more of your library.

• Explore movies in your library from the same cast, directors, or writers
• Browse and watch any Extras you have added for the movie
• Jump to other movies in the same franchise
• Explore Library Collections the movie belongs to
• Browse similar movies from your library

TV Shows

TV Shows get the same rich treatment, but we’ve simplified things to get you watching faster. The next unwatched episode is now prominently displayed so you can jump right back in.

Like movies, you can explore more of your TV show library from the same cast or creators. You can also explore any Library Collections the show is part of and simlar shows from your library.

Customize Artwork

Now, this wouldn’t be a Channels update without customization.

All backdrops and logos can be customized to your liking. Not only that, we’ve added support for picking art directly in the app!

Use the Manage Artwork option in the context menu of the movie or show to pick from a large selection of backdrops and logos to make your Channels library look just how you want.

Movie Extras

Movie Extras are now supported via your Personal Media sources.

Add trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and more to your movies. Channels will scan and display them right alongside your movie.

Extras appear in a dedicated row below your movie. Trailers get special treatment with their own button so you can preview before you watch.

Supported extra types include:

• Trailers
• Behind-the-scenes
• Deleted scenes
• Interviews
• Featurettes
• Gag reels
• Shorts

Simply organize your extra files alongside your movies using the proper naming conventions and Channels will find them automatically.

Learn More → about adding Movie Extras to your library.

Multiview

Watch up to four live TV channels at once with Multiview.

Available on Apple TV 4K and iPad, Multiview lets you keep an eye on multiple games, news channels, or any live TV you want. Launch it via the context menu of anything in your Guide or On Now. Add more channels with the built in Quick Guide.

Multiview supports multiple layouts to give you as many options as the number of channels you’re watching! You can manage any of the channels by selecting and holding them with your remote.

Multiview works with live TV channels. Virtual Channels and library content can not be viewed in Multiview.

Learn More → about using Multiview.

Intro & Credits Detection (Preview)

We’re introducing intro & credits detection as a preview feature in Channels 7.0.

While it’s very close, it’s not quite ready for prime time, so we’re making it opt-in for now.

Once enabled, Channels DVR Server will analyze your episodes to detect intros and credits. Like other features in Channels, you have the option to skip intros automatically or be prompted with a button. These options are available globally, on a per-show basis, and even on your Virtual Channels.

Credits detection improves Auto Play timing so you are prompted for the next episode at just the right moment, rather than making you sit through the credits.

Intro & Credits detection is opted-in on a per show basis. You will have better success on shows with at least 10+ episodes in your library.

While the detection is pretty good, it’s not perfect yet. We’re continuing to improve it and welcome your feedback as you try it out.

Learn More → about enabling Intro & Credits Detection.

10 Years!

It’s incredible to think that we’ve been at this for a decade now. Channels started as a simple app for watching live TV, and has grown into a full-featured experience.

We couldn’t have done it without you, our amazing community of fans. Thank you for your support, feedback, and enthusiasm over the years. We’re excited to continue moving forward building the best TV experience possible.