A limited library holds Apple’s streaming service back
Years after its debut into a packed video streaming market, Apple TV has found its niche by focusing on quality over quantity. Just as Apple makes premium hardware and software, Apple TV makes premium original entertainment with acclaimed shows, Oscar-winning films, and sophisticated sports offerings. Apple TV also has impressive premium features: Subscribers can stream shows in 4K, download content for offline viewing on iOS, and enjoy ad-free viewing. Still, the library is far more limited than what you’d expect from an industry heavy hitter, a problem that becomes more noticeable as the service grows more expensive. Editors‘ Choice winners Hulu, Netflix, and Peacock offer far more variety with their subscriptions.Price and Platforms
After its most recent price increase, Apple TV—recently renamed from Apple TV+, and not to be confused with the Apple TV 4K media hub—now costs $12.99 per month. However, you can save money by signing up for the $99.99-per-year annual subscription. Apple offers a seven-day trial, but you must provide a payment method. Purchasers of new Apple devices get a year of free access. See our story on how to cancel your Apple TV subscription for detailed info on the cancellation process.
You can also get Apple TV through one of several Apple One subscription bundles. The Individual plan includes Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple TV, and 50GB of iCloud storage for $19.95 per month. The $25.95-per-month Family tier boosts the iCloud storage to 200GB, and you can share the service with up to six family members. The $37.95-per-month Premier option has Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 2TB of iCloud storage. Other video streaming services offer bundles, too. For example, you can pay $16.99 per month to get ESPN+ and the ad-supported versions of Disney+ and Hulu.
Apple TV is now more expensive than many other top streaming services. Peacock starts at $7.99 per month, and Netflix starts at $7.99 per month. However, those are for the ad-supported tiers. Apple TV lacks commercials. Hulu and Max’s ad-supported plans are less expensive than Apple’s at $9.99 per month. If you don’t want to pay anything for your entertainment, our roundup of the best free video streaming services has options worth checking out. Our top free pick, Tubi, includes popular and offbeat network shows and movies.
For a rundown on how to get started with the service, see how to get and use Apple TV. In addition to hosting Apple TV originals, the app lets you subscribe to other services, which it designates as channels. These include on-demand services, such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Paramount+, as well as DirecTV Stream and other live TV services. You can also rent and buy movies and shows from the app. Note that Apple TV channels are not the same as subscribing to the services on their own; if you subscribe to them via Apple TV, you can only watch them on devices that support the Apple TV app.
You can subscribe to Apple TV on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, as well as via tv.apple.com in your web browser. Support extends to select LG, Samsung, and Sony smart TVs and any media streaming devices that support the Apple TV app, such as newer Roku units. Apple now offers Apple TV apps for video game consoles and Android devices.What’s on Apple TV?
Apple TV’s catalog includes Central Park, an animated musical series about a family who lives in the famous park; Little Voice, a romantic comedy; Mythic Quest, a video game-themed workplace comedy; Tehran, a co-produced spy-thriller revolving around the Israeli-Iranian conflict; Tiny World, a nature documentary series; and real-life tech drama WeCrashed.
