TV Shows on Apple TV now sorted by recent episodes

The new Apple TV is now filling the "recent" slots on the home screen's top shelf and the iTunes TV Shows app's purchased tab based on the release dates of new episodes. Previously they were filled based on date of purchase. That meant if you bought a season pass to a new show, then several older shows, the "recent" slots would stay on those older shows, even if new episodes for the previous purchases were released. TL;DR: The new way is significantly better, and if you want the details as to why, go back to the iTunes TV Show section of my Apple TV review.

The reason Apple can make changes like this without pushing software updates is because things like top shelf and purchased slots are dynamic and determined on the server-side. That's how they update when you buy new things, or new content becomes featured. It's always been one of my favorite things about the Apple TV, and it's terrific that it remains that way now that tvOS is fully in the picture.

If you don't immediately see the chance, force quit the TV Show app by double-clicking the home button and swiping it up and away with the glass touch pad. Then relaunch it and wait moment for it to re-populate the recents list.

Can't wait to see what Apple TV improvements get pushed out next!

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.