Apple now offers its own TV and movie streaming service: Apple TV+. Pitched as Apple’s direct rival to the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, the new service presents original programming only – all through the existing Apple TV app for multiple devices.
Here then is everything you need to know about TV+, including price, where to get it, the available shows and more.
What is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is Apple’s home for original films and series. Through the latest version of the Apple TV app, Apple offers ad-free, exclusive content that was either green-lit by or produced in-house. To help ensure the success of its first foray into original content, it has partnered with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, JJ Abrams and even Big Bird.
Apple TV+ is available on a monthly subscription and is available across several platforms.
There are nine shows available at launch, with new Apple Originals to be added to Apple TV+ every month.
Is Apple TV+ available now?
Apple TV+ launched on 1 November 2019.
Where is Apple TV+ available?
Apple TV+ is available in over 100 countries at launch. Both the US and UK are included.
How much does Apple TV+ cost?
Apple TV+ costs just £4.99 / $4.99 per month for a family subscription.
Before that, all users get a seven-day trial period to watch content for free.
In addition, Apple gives anyone who buys a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or Apple TV one year of Apple TV+ for free. You can subscribe to and watch Apple TV+ through the Apple TV app available across multiple devices.
What devices support Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is available inside the Apple TV app on iOS devices and Mac. It is also part of the Apple TV set-top-box user interface.
For the first time, it is available on select smart TVs too, as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices.
You can subscribe to Apple TV+ and watch it on:
- An iPhone or iPod touch with the latest version of iOS.
- An iPad with the latest version of iPadOS.
- An Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with the latest version of tvOS.
- An Apple TV (3rd generation) with the latest Apple TV software update.
- A smart TV or streaming box that supports the Apple TV app.
- A Mac running the latest version of macOS.
- The site tv.apple.com in a Safari, Firefox or Chrome web browser.
How do you sign up for Apple TV+?
You can sign up in the Apple TV app for the seven-day free trial that auto-renews once the trial is over.
Get one free year of Apple TV+:
Any new iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV or Mac purchased after 10 September 2019 is eligible to activate a one-year free subscription.
- Turn on your Apple device and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Open the Apple TV app. Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, or macOS.
- Apple said the offer should be presented immediately after launching the app. If not, scroll down in Watch Now until the offer appears.
- Tap “Enjoy 1 Year Free.”
- You might be asked to enter your Apple ID password, confirm your billing information, or add a valid payment method.
Which formats does Apple TV+ support?
You can watch Apple Originals in 4K HDR / Dolby Vision. Most titles also offer Dolby Atmos sound.
Apple Originals shows and films
Apple TV+ launched with just nine Apple Originals available to view, but it’s been adding more over the past few months. You can find the majority of them here with trailers:
Dickinson
Based on the life of famous American poet Emily Dickinson, played by Hailee Steinfeld, this is a comedic look into her world. Jane Krakowski, known for roles in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and 30 Rock, also stars as Emily’s mother.
Ghostwriter
A ghost has moved into the local neighbourhood’s bookshop and is releasing fictional characters into the real world. It is up to a gang of four children to return them back to their homes. This kid-friendly drama is from the Sesame Workshop.
For All Mankind
Apple picked up this science fiction space saga developed by Ronald D Moore, best known for the 2004 reboot of Battlestar Galactica. The show explores “what would have happened if the global space race had never ended” and stars several actors, including Joel Kinnaman.
Helpsters
The second of the two kids shows from the Sesame Workshop, Helpsters is a fun, colourful edutainment programme for younger children. Think Sesame Street in 4K and Dolby Vision.
Oprah’s Book Club
Oprah Winfrey hosts this interview programme, themed around authors and their books, as part of an extended partnership with Apple. She is also working on two upcoming documentaries that is released on Apple TV+. The first is about sexual harassment and has a working title of Toxic Labor, while another is about mental health in collaboration with Prince Harry.
See
See is an epic world-building drama set in a dystopian future where humankind has been almost wiped out by a virus. Jason Momoa stars in the role of Baba Voss, a warrior, leader and guardian who fathers twins born with a rather special power.
Snoopy in Space
Snoopy and the gang star in an all-new animated adventure.
The Elephant Queen
A feature-length movie, The Elephant Queen is an award-winning documentary that follows the journey of a family of elephants and is narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, The Lion King).
The Morning Show
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carrell star in a series about what goes on behind the cameras of the various morning shows that millions of Americans wake up to every day.
Hala
This coming-of-age story stars Geraldine Viswanathan as a Muslim teenager finding her way in the US.
Servant
Servant is a psychological thriller written by Tony Basgallop and produced by M. Night Shyamalan, who is best known for Signs. The first episode of the series has been directed by Shyamalan himself. Apple ordered 10 episodes for the first season, and each one is a half-hour long.
Truth Be Told
Apple ordered 10 episodes of this drama, based on the novel Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber. It explores how the reopening of a murder case affects the victim’s daughter. It stars Octavia Spencer, known for Hidden Figures, and Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad.
Amazing Stories
“Amazing Stories” is a sci-fi and horror anthology series created by Steven Spielberg. It’s a revival of the 80s show that had the same name.
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet
This series follows a team of video game developers. Rob McElhenney plays the company’s creative director, while other cast members include F. Murray Abraham, Danny Pudi, Imani Hakim, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Ashly Burch, and Jessie Ennis. Charlie Day is a producer, too.
Little America
“Little America” is an anthology series that looks at the lives of immigrants in America. Every episode is written by a different writer, with the content collected by Epic Magazine. Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, known for “The Big Sick,” are writing the show.
Coming soon…
Soon to be added to Apple TV+ are…
The Banker
The Banker is a true story starring Anthony Mackie and Samuel L Jackson as two businessmen who bucked the trend against the racially oppressive establishment in the 1960s, by helping African Americans get a foot on the property ladder. It hits Apple TV+ on 20 March.
Central Park
This is an animated musical comedy series that tells the story of a family of caretakers who live in Central Park. It’ll star Josh Gad, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci, and Titus Burgess as voice characters. It premieres 29 May.
Home Before Dark
Home Before Dark is a drama series about Hilde Lysiak, a child journalist who publishes a newspaper called the Orange Street News in her hometown of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. It premieres 3 April and stars Brooklynn Prince, Jim Sturgess, Abby Miller, and Kylie Rogers.
Is all Apple’s content family-friendly?
Apple is targeting a broad audience. It has reportedly stated that it will avoid content with nudity, raw language, and violence. It even had a dispute with Amazing Stories showrunner Bryan Fuller over its wishes to produce family-friendly content. The company also 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.
What about Apple TV channels?
The Apple TV app also allows you to sign up for third-party services.
This is thanks to an Apple TV Channels feature that is separate from an Apple TV+ subscription. Apple partners with Showtime, HBO, CBS All Access and others in the US, BFI Player, Starzplay, Arrow TV and several others in the UK. You can pay extra and access those add-on channels using your iTunes account for all payments and billing.
Other free services can be linked to the Apple TV too, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and My5 in the UK.