Apple has entered the online streaming service market with its offering, Apple TV Plus. While it competes with established platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, it has a unique approach to video streaming services. Here’s what you need to know about Apple TV Plus.
Apple TV Plus is a video on demand online streaming service that launched on November 1, 2019. It started with just nine titles, but five more are expected to launch soon, bringing the total to 14. This service is available in over 100 countries, and most of its content is available in 4k HDR and Dolby Vision, with most titles offering Dolby Atmos sound.
The basic rate for Apple TV Plus is $5 per month, which is lower than most streaming services, but the amount of content available is also lower. However, there are a few ways to get Apple TV Plus for free. One way is to buy or have purchased an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV, or Mac on or after September 10, which qualifies you for a free year of Apple TV Plus.
You can also get it for free if you have enrolled in Apple Music’s student discount plan, which includes Apple TV Plus for no additional cost. There are rumors that Apple may introduce more bundled service deals in the future, but nothing has been confirmed yet. However, if you are eligible for the free year, be aware that your card will be charged as soon as that year is up, and you can’t cancel in advance.
To watch Apple TV Plus, you need to use the Apple TV app, which is pre-installed on Apple devices. You can also watch on a Safari, Chrome, or Firefox web browser on your computer. The Apple TV app is currently available on Samsung Smart TVs, and it will be coming soon to newer Vizio, Sony, and LG TVs. If your Smart TV supports AirPlay 2, you can access Apple TV Plus from your Apple mobile device and launch the title on your TV.
Apple TV Plus releases episodes one at a time, unlike Netflix, which typically releases all episodes of a series at once. As for the content, Apple TV Plus appears to cover genres well, from documentaries to dramas to sci-fi to kids shows. The most popular title on Apple TV Plus is The Morning Show, a drama series about a morning news broadcast, starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell. Other titles include See, For All Mankind, Ghost Rider, Snoopy in Space, and Oprah’s Book Club.
While Apple TV Plus doesn’t have a lot of content yet, it is covering its bases well just to get started. As time goes by, they will likely add much more content.