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LG’s smart TVs are the latest to add Apple TV, and you won’t have to buy a 2020 model to get it

LG’s smart TVs are the latest to add Apple TV, and you won’t have to buy a 2020 model to get it

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LG is including the Apple TV app — not just on 2020 models but on 2018 and 2019 sets, too

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Image: LG

Even if it’s not a brand-new model, if you have an LG smart TV, you’ll soon have access to Apple’s original TV content. LG announced in a release that its OLED and NanoCell televisions will now support the Apple TV app — and not just the new 2020 models but its 2019 and 2018 versions as well.

That means LG TV users won’t need a separate set-top box to get Apple TV Plus, iTunes, or other original Apple programming. LG’s release said only that those with 2018 and 2019 LG TV models would be able to “enjoy the Apple TV app this year.” The Verge has reached out to LG to find out when the older TVs will have access to the Apple TV app, and we will update when we hear back.

It’s smart for LG to make the Apple TV app available for its slightly older models. As 9to5Mac points out, LG originally restricted support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to 2019 and newer models of its TVs, leading annoyed users of older models to petition LG last January to provide the necessary firmware updates for their TVs. The petitioners pointed out that rival companies Samsung and Vizio offered support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit for their older models via firmware updates, perhaps exerting some pressure on LG to make Apple TV available to its recent older models.

The Apple TV app was available on launch day for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and recent Samsung TVs. The app is preinstalled in newer iPhones, iPads, and on devices running macOS Catalina or later. Once activated, Apple TV Plus is free for 12 months on those devices. For everyone else, the service is $4.99 per month after a seven-day free trial. Apple’s original programming, which includes the star-studded The Morning Show, has so far been met with mixed reviews. Apple was completely shut out at Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, despite Best Actress nominations for stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.

LG announced eight 8K TVs ahead of this week’s CES, and all have Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and AirPlay 2 included. The TVs range in size from 65 inches for its LCDs up to 88 inches for its new OLED model.