Apple TV+ is coming to screens on November 1, with a surprisingly low price of just $4.99.
While only a few shows will be available on launch, more will be added every month. There’s also some great Apple TV+ pricing news for anyone thinking of buying a new Apple device in the future.
According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, anyone purchasing a new Apple device — whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or Apple TV — will get a year’s worth of free Apple TV+ access. (Apparently no such deal for people buying an Apple Watch, though!)
At a time when new streaming services seem to launch weekly, that’s a great selling point. Customers who don’t buy a new Apple device will get a seven-day free trial of the Apple TV+ service.
Apple TV+ pricing
Prior to today’s event, speculation about Apple TV+ pricing abounded. One report suggested Apple TV+ would cost $9.99 per month. If accurate, that would have put it at the high end of the spectrum. That’s not great for a streaming service that will launch with only a few shows. However, Apple wrong-footed the naysayers. The $4.99 Apple TV+ price point undercuts rivals including Netflix ($9), Disney+ ($7) and Hulu ($6). Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share one Apple TV+ subscription.
Apple TV+ will launch with See, The Elephant Queen, The Morning Show, Helpsters, Dickinson, Ghostwriter, For All Mankind and Snoopy in Space. Plus, Apple promises some sort of Oprah Winfrey reading-related programming. Winfrey will join “the world’s most compelling authors in conversation as she builds a vibrant, global book club community and other projects to connect with people around the world and share meaningful ways to create positive change,” Apple said in its Apple TV+ press release.
Other TV series, movies and documentaries will follow in the future. You can check out the full list of shows that Apple has in development here.
See: Apple’s biggest show yet?
Photo: Apple
At today’s “By Innovation Only” event, Apple showcased a trailer for its Jason Momoa series See. While a trailer doesn’t serve as an indication of quality, this is definitely one of Apple’s most intriguing shows for me.
It looks like it has the potential to be, at worst, dumb fun. At best, it aspires to be Apple’s answer to Game of Thrones (hopefully the earlier seasons.)
You can check out the trailer for See, as well as some of Apple’s other shows, here.
