Is it possible to use a 4K Apple TV on a 1080p television?

Yes, one can indeed use a 4K Apple TV with a 1080p television. Though the Apple TV supports 4K resolution, it is also backward compatible with 1080p TVs. This means it will automatically detect the maximum resolution of the connected 1080p television and scale down its output to match that resolution. Therefore, while users won't be able to experience 4K quality content due to the limitations of their 1080p TV, they’ll still enjoy enhanced features of the Apple TV like improved interface, access to a wide range of apps, and perhaps a better overall performance compared to older Apple TV models that were limited to 1080p or lower resolutions.