Apple’s new TV app won’t include Netflix or Amazon

Apple’s new TV app for the Apple TV certainly sounds compelling. It’s supposed to let end users search through all kinds of content across third-party applications and sources (there are 1,600 sources in total) in an easy-to-browse format. The only problem? It doesn’t support Amazon Prime or Netflix, two beloved cord-cutter services.

It’s a tough pill to swallow. I personally watch most of my content through one of those two services, but I understand why they wouldn’t sign on. Netflix and Amazon are both betting more and more on original content. In their respective apps, users can easily discover that content. If their libraries were just bundled into the new TV app, those originals might not even be discovered at all. Amazon and Netflix would only be able to rely on word of mouth.

Netflix not on board with Apple “TV” app

Netflix confirmed it’s not working with Apple in a statement to Wired, which means you shouldn’t expect it to just magically appear anytime soon. “I can confirm we are not participating and evaluating the opportunity,” Netflix said.

It’s a bummer. I was looking forward to being able to find everything in one place, but I also totally understand where Netflix is coming from. These are going to be big boundaries for Apple and other content aggregates to conquer. Maybe Apple should just buy Netflix.