Apple TV+ Review 202: Is It Worth $5 A Month
Apple TV+ is a video streaming service from tech giant Apple that has cable cutters talking in 2022.
And its for a reason that has surprised those who are familiar with the innovative, top-shelf brand: Its cheap!
With a price tag of $4.99 per month, no ads and superstars like Oprah Winfrey, Steve Carell, Samuel L. Jackson, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell and Jennifer Aniston featured on original content for the service, Apple has our attention. It might have yours, too.
Team Clark has investigated the streaming service a bit further to determine if it is worth spending $5 per month to add to your entertainment experience. Well look into how you can get the service, some of the established content available and the new programming Apple is planning to create for subscribers.
Apple TV Plus Cost: Price Info Plans And Current Deals
For the price, is it worth taking a bite of Apple TV Plus?
Launching in November 2019, Apple TV Plus is a streaming service that gets sweeter by the day. Its been steadily building up its library of brand-new, exclusive content for instance, the multi-Emmy-winning Ted Lasso which is finally attracting new converts to the platform. And, for the competition beating Apple TV Plus cost of $4.99 a month, its very tempting to take a bite.
- Apple TV Plus cost:
In terms of volume of content its a long way behind Netflix, but thats in part because it’s investing billions on exclusive programming rather than licensing content from other studios. Hence the attachment of so much A-list talent Jennifer Anniston, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Sofia Coppola.
Plus, with a plethora of Apple TV Plus deals available – like free streaming with eligible Apple devices – the tech giant is demonstrating the high-quality viewers can expect from the service as it continues to evolve: slowly reeling us in with addictively unique TV series and buzz-worthy future film projects.
The question remains: does the Apple TV Plus cost compare favorably with rival services like Amazon Prime and HBO Max? Well break it all down for you below.
- Read more: our guide to the best TV streaming services
What Movies Are On Apple TV+
There are many movies to choose from on Apple TV+ and new Apple Original films are being added frequently. The best way to see what movies are on Apple TV+ is to browse the Apple TV+ tab inside the Apple TV app or here on tv.apple.com. You’ll find many award-winning films to choose from, like Academy Award-winner for Best Picture CODA or the critically-acclaimed The Tragedy of Macbeth. Or choose from hits like Greyhound, Swan Song, Wolfwalkers, and more.
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Save Money With Family Sharing
Apple TV+ subscriptions can be shared with up to six people. You and five friends or family members can setup a Family Sharing group, which allows you to share all your purchases and subscriptions. Whereas Apple Music charges extra for a Family plan, Apple TV+ costs the same $4.99 price regardless of whether you have one person or five using it.
Family Sharing works with Apple One too. Even if you are subscribed to the Apple One Individual bundle, you can still share Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade with up to five family members via Family Sharing. So you can split the bill and save some cash.
How Do I Get My Free Year Of Apple TV+
Apple is offering all customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV a free year of Apple TV+ access with the purchase.
To access the free subscription, open the TV app, and the “Enjoy 1 Year Free” offer should be presented immediately after launching the app or in the “Watch Now” section. If it isn’t, make sure to check out our how to on activating it. If activation is still an issue, contact Apple Support as Apple is providing redemption codes for those who have not been able to access their free one-year subscriptions.
Each family can only get one year of free Apple TV+ one time, regardless of the number of devices purchased. You have three months after a device was purchased to claim the free Apple TV+ offer after a new device purchase.
Apple says any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, or Mac purchased after September 10, 2019 and capable of running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or macOS is eligible for the free year of Apple TV+.
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Apple TV Plus Cost And Plans: Your Quick Guide
Theres just a single plan at $4.99 a month or you can pay the annual fee of $49.99 and save 15% over the year after your Apple TV Plus free trial. Apple TV Plus is also available outside of the US in a whopping 107 countries, so weve provided the costs for a few of them:
Monthly: £4.99 / $5.99 CAD / 4.99 / $7.99 AUD / $8.99 NZD
Compared to the competition
- Disney Plus: $7.99 a month
- Hulu : $5.99 a month
- Netflix: from $8.99 a month
The low Apple TV Plus cost provides access to growing number of series, films, and documentaries, including acquired content like the Sundance smash CODA and Tom Hanks-starring Greyhound. Everything is ad-free, available to stream or download in glorious 4K, plus one account can be shared with up to 5 other people.
You can stream the service through any device with the Apple TV Plus app: that includes Samsung, LG, VIZIO and Sony Smart TVs Apple TV 4K and HD, Apple TV Plus on Roku, and Apple TV Plus on Fire Stick. As well as Google TV devices PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and on Apple products like the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Mac. Its also available to watch using a web browser on a Windows PC, Chrome OS, or Android device.
How Do I Watch
Apple TV+ is built into the Apple TV app, which was overhauled in 2019. The Apple TV app provides access to Apple TV+ content right alongside content from third-party providers, with machine learning and AI techniques used to recommend content that’s perfect for you.
The Apple TV app is available on Apple devices that include the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV. It is also available on the web at tv.apple.com and on Roku, Amazon Fire TV devices, Samsung smart TVs, Nvidia Shield, and Android TV OS.
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How Does Apple TV Plus Compare With Netflix Disney Plus And Other Subscription Video Services
Apple TV Plus is a subscription streaming service to watch the company’s original series and movies exclusively. Like Netflix, it doesn’t have ads.
Unlike Netflix, it doesn’t have a big library of licensed shows or movies, nor will it release full seasons of its shows all at once in a binge-able bunch . Most Apple TV Plus series premiere a small cluster of episodes, often three, followed by one new episode every week. Full seasons of some series drop all at the same time, though.
Apple TV Plus is available in more than 100 countries and is also part of Apple’s family-sharing feature, which allows you to add up to five family members to share a plan. Apple originals are available in 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision, and most titles also offer Dolby Atmos sound, according to this Apple support page.
Netflix Vs Apple TV+: Which Streaming Service Should You Choose
Both Netflix and Apple TV+ are fantastic platforms, but which streaming service is the best for you, and why?
Watching TV shows and movies is getting easier every day with streaming services. But with so many streaming services out in the market, choosing one platform is hard. In 2019, Apple jumped into the competition with its Apple TV+ service.
But how does Apple’s platform compare to the biggest streaming service out there: Netflix? If you can afford only one subscription among these two, which one should it be? We’ll compare Apple TV+ and Netflix, so you can choose what suits you the best.
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What’s New On Apple TV+
At launch, we bemoaned the slim pickings of just eight shows which, admittedly, included some of our top picks. Fast-forward to today, and the service is in a better place.
In the early days, Apple TV+ struggled to crack into double digits when it came to movies. In 2022, the film library still isn’t huge. However, it does have a little bit of everything. The current Apple TV+ film catalog is spread across fifteen movies, fourteen documentaries and ten specials.
There are also plenty of new shows coming soon, though, with around 84 more movies, TV series, and documentaries in the works for Apple’s streaming service.
How Does The Apple TV Plus Price Compare To Disney Plus
Despite being launched just two weeks apart, Apple TV Plus hasnt had the fairy tale trajectory of Disney Plus. The iconic content belonging to the Mouse House Pixars animations, Marvel blockbusters, the Star Wars movies and more has meant that Disney Plus stormed ahead to gain 90 million followers in little over a year.
Both services have a single streaming plan. Disney Plus is favorably priced at $7.99 per month, and allows Disney Plus account sharing with four individuals. The Apple TV Plus cost is cheaper, however, and can be shared between six people.
Disney Plus had an immediate advantage over Apple: owning hundreds of films and TV series whose characters Iron Man, Han Solo, Cinderella are ingrained in the popular consciousness. But although Disney Plus has brands, Apple TV Plus has stars. Its a platform for A-list talent, including the inimitable Oprah Winfrey, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Anniston, and even Prince Harry , in addition to acquiring buzz-worthy content from the likes of Will Smith and Martin Scorsese.
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Can I Watch Apple TV+ Shows On Non
Yes! You can watch Apple TV+ through the TV app, which is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and the Mac, as well as many game consoles, smart TVs, and other streaming devices. If you have a new set from Samsung, LG, Sony, or Vizio, you should also be able to use AirPlay 2 to broadcast content straight from your iPhone or iPad to the set.
You can also watch on the web using Safari, Chrome, or Firefox by heading to tv.apple.com. See: Airplay compatible TVs that have Apple TV build in: Guide.
What Does Apple TV Offer
Apple TV Plus has admittedly not been as popular as Netflix and HBO Max, but its slowly redeeming itself to become a reliable place to turn to for entertainment. If you compare its catalog to other streaming services, there is less content to watch.
However, many Apple Originals have been met with acclaim from critics and viewers alike, and Apple is constantly adding new shows to its library.
The most well-known example is Ted Lasso. The Morning Show is another classic Apple Original, with a star-studded cast featuring Steve Carell, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Billy Crudup from the show has even won a Primetime Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a drama.
Other notable Apple Originals are:
- Central Park, a musical series
- Dickinson, an award-winning comedy
- For All Mankind, a sci-fi drama
As for movies, Apple TV+ has its fair share of hits, including:
- The Velvet Underground
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How Do I Get Apple TV Plus
Signing up for Apple TV Plus is easy, and can be done from both the web and the Apple TV app. In fact, its usually the first thing you see when you open the Apple TV app. Just tap Try It Free and confirm your purchase to get started. The first seven days are free, but after that, you will automatically be charged $4.99 a month.
On the web, simply navigate to the Apple TV Plus website, then click Start Your Free Trial. Youll have to log into your Apple account if you arent already logged in, but the entire process takes less than a minute.
No matter how you sign up, you will get a pop-up letting you know if you have a free year or three months to claim due to a recent purchase.
Once your free Apple TV Plus subscription is over, you can also opt for an Apple One subscription if you use other Apple services such as Apple Music, iCloud storage, and Apple Arcade. The bundle will save you some money compared to what you pay for all these services individually.
Can I Get Apple TV+ For Free
There are a few ways to try Apple TV+ for free. First, try 7 days of Apple TV+ for free by starting a trial in the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or HD, or on any streaming device. If youve recently purchased Apple hardware that includes a 12-month, 6-month, or 3-month or other complimentary free trial of Apple TV+, this offer will automatically appear in the Apple TV app when signed in with the Apple ID associated with your recent hardware purchase.
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Apple TV App & Privacy
The Apple TV app is designed to protect your information and enable you to choose what you share.
Is All Apple’s Content Family
Apple is targeting a broad audience. Apple has reportedly stated that it will avoid content with nudity, raw language, and violence.
The company even shelved Vital Signs, an autobiographical show about hip hop artist Dr. Dre, as Apple CEO Tim Cook was said to be “troubled” by its use of guns, sex, and drugs.
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How Can I Watch It
Watch Apple TV+ on the Apple TV app, which is already on your favorite Apple devices. Just open the app, click or tap Apple TV+, and enjoy the shows and movies. You can also watch Apple TV+ on streaming platforms, popular smart TVs, and AirPlay-enabled TVs with the Apple TV app or watch online at tv.apple.com.
Can You Add Disney Plus Or Hbo Max As An Apple TV Channel
Services like HBO Max, Hulu, Disney Plus, Peacock, and Prime Video are not available directly as Apple TV channels. Instead, you have to sign up for these services separately and watch them through their own apps.
That said, you can still integrate recommendations from these platforms into the Apple TV app. Billing is not available through Apple so you must already have a separate subscription to one of these services. You’ll then see an option to link the services you’re subscribed to with the Apple TV app.
This will enable you to see recommendations for movies and shows from that platform inside the Apple TV app. But if you click on a program you’ll be redirected to stream it on the required third-party app.
For instance, if you connect your separate HBO Max subscription to the Apple TV app, you’ll see recommendations for HBO Max shows within the Apple TV interface. But if you click on the show, your device will be prompted to launch the HBO Max app.
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How Do I Stream Apple TV Plus
All Apple TV Plus programing is available in the Apple TV app for the service’s subscribers. Apple TV Plus is $5 a month, and a subscription unlocks the full catalog of its original programming, without any additional fees.
But unlike Netflix and other subscription streaming services, Apple TV Plus doesn’t have its own dedicated app. Apple TV Plus programming resides inside Apple’s TV app, which overall serves as a hub to watch programming from other video subscriptions, and to rent or buy movies and shows a la carte. That can be a little confusing, but the TV app has a tab dedicated just to Apple TV Plus originals, so you can find them all in one place without other stuff that requires separate payments.
Apple’s TV app is available on:
- Apple devices that can stream video including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV streaming boxes, iPod Touch and Macs
Apple TV Plus is also available to watch on the web at tv.apple.com.
More Deals To Give You That Mid
- Those three months free of Apple TV Plus at the top pairs nicely with the 2021 Apple TV 4K streaming box, which is still $119.99 at Amazon for the base 32GB model. This streamer remains one of the best options on the market with Dolby Vision HDR support, and its A12 Bionic CPU should keep it running fast for years to come. Plus, youll get another complimentary three-month trial to Apple TV Plus with this purchase.
- Nomad is running an end-of-summer sale, taking 20 percent off some of its Apple accessories, including the hefty Base One MagSafe charger. Its discounted to $79.96 when you use code SUMMERSALE2022. The Base One is a sleek, metal charging pad that achieves 15W MagSafe wireless charging speeds for iPhone 12 and 13 models.
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