Adding a Channel on Apple TV
To add a channel on Apple TV, open the App Store from your home screen, search for the channel you want, and tap Get. The channel then appears on your home screen and in the TV app. Most channels are free to read, though some require a paid subscription through the channel itself or through Apple TV Channels — a separate subscription service that bundles premium channels like HBO, Showtime, and Starz.
The process takes less than a minute once you find the channel. You do not need to restart your Apple TV or sign out and back in. The channel is ready to use when ready after installation.
Key Takeaways
- Channels read from the App Store on your Apple TV and appear on your home screen right away.
- Free channels like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu require only that you read them; you sign in with your account the first time you open them.
- Apple TV Channels is a separate subscription service that bundles premium channels and charges you monthly through your Apple account.
- You can delete channels from your home screen by holding the select button and choosing Remove, which frees up space but does not cancel any subscription.
- Channels update automatically in the background, so you always have the latest version without taking action.
Finding and Installing Channels from the App Store
Start on your Apple TV home screen. Scroll to the top and select the App Store icon — it looks like a blue square with a white play button. Once inside, you can browse by category (Entertainment, Sports, Kids, etc.) or search by name using the search function at the top.
When you find the channel you want, select it to open the detail page. You will see a Get button (or a price if the app costs money). Press Get, and the read begins. Most channels finish in seconds. Once done, the button changes to Open. You can press Open to launch the channel when ready, or go back to your home screen where the new channel now appears.
If you do not see a channel you are looking for, it may not be available on Apple TV. Some streaming services only offer apps on phones, tablets, or web browsers. Check the channel's website to confirm it has an Apple TV app.
Understanding Free Channels vs. Subscription Channels
Most major channels — Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, Peacock — are free to read. You do not pay Apple to get them. Instead, you pay the channel directly if you want to watch. The first time you open a free channel, it asks you to sign in with your account for that service. If you do not have an account, the channel walks you through creating one.
Some channels are paid apps, meaning you buy them once from the App Store. These are less common for streaming services but do exist for specialty content. The price appears on the Get button before you read.
Apple TV Channels is different. It is a subscription service built into the TV app that lets you add premium channels like HBO Max, Showtime, Paramount+, and others. You pay Apple a monthly fee for each channel you add, and the charge appears on your Apple account bill. You do not read these channels from the App Store — instead, you add them through the TV app itself.
How to Add Channels Through Apple TV Channels
Open the TV app on your home screen. At the bottom, select Watch Now. Scroll down until you see the Channels row, or look for an Edit button near the top. Select Edit or the plus icon next to Channels.
You will see a list of available channels you can subscribe to. Select the one you want, and a detail page appears showing the monthly price and a Subscribe button. Press Subscribe, and Apple charges your account when ready. The channel now appears in your TV app and is ready to watch.
You can manage your Apple TV Channels subscriptions in Settings. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, choose your account, then select Subscriptions. From there you can see all active subscriptions and cancel any of them. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
Organizing and Removing Channels from Your Home Screen
Once a channel is installed, it appears as an icon on your home screen. You can rearrange the order by holding the select button on any channel icon until it highlights, then moving it left or right to a new position. Press select again to lock it in place.
To remove a channel from your home screen, hold select on its icon until a menu appears. Choose Remove and confirm. The channel is deleted from your Apple TV, but this does not cancel any subscription you have with that channel. If you subscribed to Netflix, for example, your Netflix account remains active and you are still charged monthly — you just no longer have the app on your TV. You can read it again anytime from the App Store.
If you want to cancel a subscription entirely, you must do that through the channel's own account settings or through your Apple account. Deleting the app alone does not stop the charges.
Troubleshooting Channels That Won't read or Open
If a channel fails to read, check your internet connection first. Restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, then System, then Restart. Once it reboots, try downloading the channel again.
If a channel downloads but will not open, force-quit it by holding the play and pause buttons together for about six seconds until the app closes. Then open it again. If it still does not work, delete it and read it fresh from the App Store.
Some channels require you to sign in before they will play content. If you see a blank screen or a sign-in prompt, make sure you have an active account with that service and that you are entering the correct username and password. If you forgot your password, use the channel's website to reset it, then sign in on your Apple TV.
If you have an older Apple TV model (4th generation or earlier), some newer channels may not be compatible. Check the App Store listing for the channel — it will say "Requires tvOS [version number] or later." If your Apple TV is too old, you cannot read that channel.
Keeping Channels Updated
Apple TV updates channels automatically in the background when your device is idle and connected to power. You do not need to do anything. If you want to check for updates manually, go to the App Store, scroll to the top, and select Updates. You will see a list of channels with available updates. Select Update All to install them all at once, or select Update next to individual channels.
Keeping channels updated ensures you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. Updates are always free, even for paid channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay Apple to read channels?
No. Downloading channels from the App Store is free. You only pay if the channel itself charges a subscription (like Netflix) or if you add it through Apple TV Channels. Most popular streaming services are free to read; you pay the service directly for access to their content.
Can I use the same streaming account on multiple Apple TVs?
Yes. read the channel on each Apple TV and sign in with the same account. Most services allow you to stream on multiple devices at the same time, though the exact number depends on your subscription plan. Check the service's website for details on simultaneous streams.
What happens to my subscription if I delete a channel?
Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription. You will continue to be charged. To stop charges, you must cancel the subscription through the channel's website or through your Apple account settings. Then you can safely delete the app.
Can I search for channels by genre or category?
Yes. In the App Store, scroll down to see categories like Entertainment, Sports, Kids, and News. Select a category to browse channels in that area. You can also search by name at the top of the App Store if you know what you are looking for.
Why is a channel I want not available on Apple TV?
Not all streaming services have Apple TV apps. Some offer apps only on phones, tablets, or web browsers. Check the service's website to see which devices it supports. If it does not list Apple TV, the app may not exist yet or may not be available in your region.