Earlier this month, YouTube TV launched a new multiview feature that lets viewers watch up to four streams of sports content at once. Now it appears that Apple TV is working on a similar option. While Apple’s streaming TV device already supports a new picture-in-picture mode, new code discovered in the latest iOS beta suggests a possible four-seater multiview feature.
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Developer Steve Moser made an interesting discovery while exploring the iOS 16.5 beta 1 build, which was subsequently reported by 9to5Mac, an Apple news site.
Apple's current multiview development appears to be geared toward sports content. This makes sense in light of competition that includes services like Fubo and YouTube TV, as well as Apple's recent foray into sports streaming.
Like the YouTube TV feature, the focus of Apple's multiview experience now in development seems to be more specifically aimed at supporting sports content. This decision makes sense not only because of the broader competitive landscape — including multiview options on services like YouTube TV and Fubo — but also because of Apple's more recent investments in streaming sports content.
The company also last year signed a 10-year streaming deal with Major League Soccer to broadcast every MLS game starting in 2023. However, Apple reportedly walked away from talks to secure the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket over issues that had to do with restrictions on the package, including the ability to stream games around the world, among other things.
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However, it's clear that Apple sees sports content as an area of investment for its streaming service, which would make a feature like multi-viewing more useful to Apple TV customers.
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Code in the iOS 16.5 beta suggests that multiview will only work within the TV app, not across the entire platform. A user who selects a sports program in the TV app will be able to choose to watch in full-screen or multiview mode.
Information source: techcrunch.com
