Apple TV Plus: shows, movies, devices and everything you need to know
Apple TV Plus has been around for over three years now, and despite rapid improvement thanks to investments in big, expensive shows, the platform still can’t match the likes of Netflix when it comes to library size.
Apparently, though, Apple intends to play a long game, with loads of stellar content that will continue to flow through its streamer into 2023 and beyond. We didn’t hear a word about the Apple TV Plus at the company’s recent reveal event in Far Out – that showcase was dedicated to the new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro models – but we know that many more videos produced by Apple and TV shows are on the horizon.
For a comprehensive review of the Apple TV Plus as it stands, check out our Apple TV Plus review. Below, we’ve rounded up all the basics you need to know about this still-young streaming service – including details on its costs, programs, and cross-device compatibility.
Cost of Apple TV Plus: the price of the service
The Apple TV Plus is just $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$7.99 a month – and if you buy an iPhone, iPad, Mac or AppleTV you get a year’s subscription for free.
That’s even cheaper than the cheapest Netflix subscription which costs $9.99 / £6.99 / AU$10.99 a month, and also cheaper than Disney Plus which costs $7.99 / £7.99 / AU$11.99 a month .
Apple TV Plus Free Trial: How to Get It
Apple TV Plus has a seven-day free trial, after which you’ll automatically be billed on a monthly basis. It’s easy to get a trial – just download Apple TV, which includes all Apple TV Plus content, and you’ll be greeted with an advertisement for the service and an invitation to a free trial.
The free trial will get you all the services for those seven days, so make the most of it. You only get one free trial of Apple TV Plus.
Apple TV Plus devices
Apple TV Plus is available on almost all devices in 2022 including: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, LG Smart TVs, Roku devices, Vizio, Sony Smart TVs TV, desktop browsers, PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Is Apple TV Plus on Android?
There is no Android app for Apple TV, but you can watch it in a supported web browser on Android devices
What are Apple TV channels?
In addition to Apple TV Plus, Apple has introduced Apple TV channels that combine cable subscription services and streaming services like Amazon Prime Video in the Apple TV app (unfortunately, Apple TV channels do not include Netflix). Availability varies by region. You can read more about Apple TV Plus channels (opens in a new tab) here.
The best Apple TV Plus shows
Despite being only three years old, Apple has managed to produce an impressive roster of high-quality original TV content for its Apple TV Plus service. Our guide to the best Apple TV shows is a long run, but below you’ll find a quick tour of the series worth watching in 2023.
- Ted Lasso
- Foundation
- morning show
- Cutoff
- Mosquito Coast
- For all humanity
- Physical
- Black bird
- slow horses
- Surface
- We crashed
- Evil sisters
- The Essex Serpent
- See
- Prehistoric planet
- Suspicion
- Shining girls
- Pachinko
- schmigadoon!
- Invasion
- Neighborhood resort
- A mythical mission
- Five days at Memorial
- To try
- Servant
- Jacob’s defense
- afterparty
The best Apple TV Plus movies
As with TV shows, Apple has sped up movie production significantly over the past year, but the number of titles Apple TV Plus boasts still pales in comparison to Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus. Still, a few Apple movies – CODA for example – have made quite a cultural impression, so Apple TV Plus definitely shouldn’t be considered a TV-only streaming service.
- CODA
- Finch
- Emancipation
- On the rocks
- Swan song
- The tragedy of Macbeth
- cherry
- Thrilling
- Werewolves
- The sky is everywhere
- Greyhound
- Palmer
- Hall
- Luck
- Banker
Apple TV Plus: what’s coming soon?
Apple usually announces its upcoming lineup of Apple TV Plus movies and TV shows at its annual iPhone launch event. However, this was not the case this year, with Far Out’s last presentation – held on September 7 – dedicated solely to new hardware releases.
For our money, the sizzling reel showing the streamer’s 2023 deal was the bare minimum we’d expected from Apple at its latest iPhone launch, so it was disappointing to see the Apple TV Plus sidelined in this way.
What we do know, however, is that Apple is currently gearing up for the debut of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon – starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro – on the $200 million streaming service. An unnamed Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt and directed by Top Gun: Maverick creator Joseph Kosinski is also in the works.
Suffice to say, Apple has some big-ticket footage up its sleeve for 2023 and beyond. We’d expect to hear official announcements about other projects he’s working on soon.
So Apple TV Plus is like Netflix?
This is where things get a little confusing. Being on the scene in 2020, Tim Cook has made it very clear that the Apple TV Plus is not like Netflix – at least not yet. While the service will ultimately offer original content, Apple TV Plus does not offer licensed content like Netflix or Amazon Prime, which includes all syndicated shows like The Big Bang Theory, Mr. Robot or Seinfeld. However, this may change in the future if a Bloomberg (opens in a new tab) the report – suggesting that Apple may introduce licensed shows and movies to its services – is to be believed.
For now, you’ll still need to purchase these shows via iTunes or via the over-the-air cable app on Apple TV Channels and turn to Apple TV Plus to get a library of originals.
