Apple is hoping to draw more interest in its Apple TV streaming video service by supporting a cornerstone casting protocol commonly found on Android phones and tablets.
Starting this week, Apple will allow users of Android mobile devices to stream content to their Android-powered TV dongles, set-top boxes and smart TVs using Google Cast, the company affirmed.
Subscribers with the Apple TV app installed on their Android phone or tablet will be given the option to “cast” content to their Android-powered smart TVs and TV devices if all gadgets are on the same wireless network.
The move is part of an evolving strategy involving Apple TV, which has broken free from Apple’s own devices in recent years in favor of distribution on other platforms like Android TV, Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku. The Apple TV app became available on Android phones and tablets earlier this year, where previously streamers with those devices had to use a web browser to watch Apple TV content.
Apple’s decision to make its Apple TV service available on more third-party platforms comes as the tech company courts more sports partners to its business. Earlier this year, Apple secured the U.S. television rights to Formula 1 races, which were offered on ESPN. The company also has domestic TV rights to some Major League Baseball games and worldwide rights to games from Major League Soccer.
