Anime streaming service Crunchyroll is now part of the Apple TV app, allowing subscribers to watch and manage their membership without leaving Apple’s platform.
This integration, confirmed by both Engadget and CNET, gives anime fans on Apple devices a smoother experience. You won’t need to jump between separate apps to enjoy your favorite shows anymore.
What Does “Channel in the Apple TV App” Actually Mean?
The Apple TV app serves as Apple’s central hub for video content. Think of it as a universal remote for streaming. Instead of hopping between Netflix, Hulu, and other apps, the Apple TV app gathers everything into one location. A “channel” within it means a third-party service, like Crunchyroll, is embedded directly in that hub.
Now, you can subscribe to Crunchyroll through Apple, browse their catalog, and stream shows all from within the Apple TV app. Your Crunchyroll content will also appear in the app’s “Up Next” queue, making it easier to pick up where you left off.
There’s a tradeoff to consider: subscribing through Apple means they’ll take a cut of the subscription fee, usually between 15 to 30 percent depending on your subscription duration. That revenue share goes to Apple, not Crunchyroll. If you’re watching your budget, subscribing directly through Crunchyroll’s website usually comes out about the same, but some users prefer the ease of managing everything through Apple.
Context: Crunchyroll Has Had a Rough Few Months
This news comes after a tough period for Crunchyroll. Earlier this year, the service faced backlash over AI-generated subtitles, which fans claimed were inaccurate and lacked cultural context. Not long after that controversy, the company raised its subscription prices. This combination frustrated many users.
While adding Apple TV app support won’t directly resolve those issues, it does make the service more accessible for the many anime fans who are already using Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TV.
| Data Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stock Price | $247.48 (-0.53%) |
| CEO | Tim Cook |
| Headquarters | Cupertino, CA |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Sector | Big Tech |
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you’re an anime fan using Apple devices, this offers a real quality-of-life upgrade. Here’s what changes:
- One less app to manage. You can browse and stream Crunchyroll shows directly in the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV streaming box.
- Unified watchlist. Shows you start on Crunchyroll will show up in Apple TV’s “Up Next” feature, so you won’t lose your place.
- Billing simplicity. You can subscribe and pay using your existing Apple ID, which some find easier than juggling separate subscriptions.
- Siri support. You might be able to ask Siri to play specific anime titles, and it will pull them from Crunchyroll via the Apple TV app.
If you already subscribe to Crunchyroll and like your current setup, there’s no pressure to switch. The Apple TV channel is just an extra option, not a replacement for the standalone Crunchyroll app.
Community Reaction
“Cool but I’m not giving them more money after the AI subtitle stuff and the price hike. Wake me up when they fix the actual product.”
— Reddit user, r/Crunchyroll
“Actually useful for me since I use the Apple TV app for everything. Nice to have it in one place finally.”
— YouTube comment, CNET coverage
What To Watch
- Subscriber response: It’ll be interesting to see if this integration helps Crunchyroll regain some of the goodwill it lost during the AI subtitle and price increase issues, or if those problems continue to drive users away.
- Competing platforms: Other anime services like Hidive and Funimation have varying levels of Apple TV app support. If Crunchyroll’s integration proves popular, expect competitors to move quickly on similar deals.
- Apple’s streaming bundle strategy: Apple has been gradually adding channels to its TV app to create a one-stop video hub. Adding Crunchyroll fits that strategy, and more niche streaming services could follow suit.
