Apple has just launched its flagship streaming service, Apple TV Plus – here’s how it differs from rival Netflix.
It’s finally here: Apple has released its flagship streaming service, Apple TV Plus, at the tech giant’s star-studded keynote event at the Steve Jobs theatre in San Cupertino, California.
With a parade of Hollywood actors and directors, including Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Aniston (and even Sesame Street’s Big Bird) taking to the stage to promote their exclusive Apple TV Plus shows, Apple seems to be taking aim at Netflix’s popular Originals programming.
So, how does the new streaming service differ from Netflix? And could it truly pose a threat to the most popular streaming platform in the world? Read on for our take on Apple’s first foray into the world of TV and movie streaming.
Aside from being the most popular streaming service in the world, Netflix has become something of a cultural icon, even inspiring its own lexicon – we all know what it means to ‘Netflix and chill’ (if you don’t, ask an appropriate adult), and most people have been on an uncontrollable ‘Netflix binge’.
With a wide-reaching mix of original and licensed shows and movies, Netflix’s huge variety of content, as well as its ease of use, has given birth to the cult of binge-watching.
Apple, on the other hand, will have some way to go if it’s to unseat Netflix from its throne with Apple TV Plus, its new ad-free subscription service, which it says is launching “in the fall” – so between September and November this year.
However, with a host of exclusive programs with some very famous faces attached, Apple could potentially rival Netflix’s Originals – if it can match Netflix’s prodigious output that is.
From the sounds of things, Apple will be releasing “new additions every month”, but it hasn’t confirmed how much new content we can expect each month.
Apple TV Plus is set to launch on the new and improved Apple TV app, which in turn is coming to a wide range of smart TVs in May, as well as to set-top boxes and streaming sticks from rival companies like Roku and Amazon.
We learned back in January that the Apple TV app was coming to a number of smart TVs – in ranges by Samsung, Sony, LG, and Vizio – in addition to Apple’s own set-top box and streaming player, the Apple TV.
This means Apple TV Plus won’t be restricted to Apple TV devices – and moving the app onto rival devices is a risky move by Apple, as it could reduce the number of consumers buying into Apple TV hardware. We’re wondering if Apple is looking to phase out this hardware in order to focus on the improved Apple TV app.
It’s been rumored that Apple’s new streaming service would slightly undercut Netflix’s monthly subscription cost, but there was no mention of a price at the March 25 keynote.
Having recently upped its prices, the cheapest Netflix plan is currently $9 / £5.99 / AU$9.99, while its HD Standard plan (the most popular) costs $13 / £7.99 / AU$13.99.
For fans of Ultra HD streaming, the 4K Premium plan is available for $16 / £9.99 / AU$17.99.
Netflix is available to use on a huge range of devices, which will also synchronize with each other – this means you can start watching a show on your desktop browser, pause it, and pick up in the exact same place when logging back in on your big-screen TV.
Depending on which subscription package you opt for, you can watch Netflix on up to four screens at one time.
As well as your computer, gaming console, and built-in TV applications there are Android and iOS apps, as well as a whole suite of set-top streaming boxes that will give you access to Netflix’s video library.
