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Apple TV+ review December 2019: Is it worth it?
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Here's everything we know about the newest streaming service from Apple.
Apple’s new streaming service, Apple TV+, is finally here. At $4.99 a month, it’s cheaper than competitor streaming services. But with all original content, whether or not it’s worth it depends on the shows.
Details
Pricing | $4.99 |
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Free trial | 7 days |
Number of devices | 99 |
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Simultaneous streams | 6 |
Closed captions |
Yes |
What is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is a new streaming service by Apple that offers all original content. Subscribers will be able to stream TV shows, movies and documentaries that aren’t available anywhere else.How much does Apple TV+ cost?
Apple TV+ costs $4.99 a month. There are no pricing tiers as with some streaming services, so that is all you’ll pay for full access to all Apple TV+ content.Apple is also offering a 7-day free trial for all new Apple TV+ subscribers, and you’ll get a free year of Apple TV+ when you buy a new a new Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Mac.
What devices is Apple TV+ available on?
You can watch Apple TV+ online or on any device that has the Apple TV app. This includes iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs and select Samsung smart TVs, Roku devices and Amazon Fire TV devices. Apple plans to expand availability to other smart TVs in the future, but there’s no concrete information yet when that’ll happen or which brands it’ll include.
What exclusive TV shows does it include?
While a lot of content is already live, Apple will also continue adding new shows. Current and upcoming content from Apple Studios includes:
Title | Description | Type |
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Amazing Stories | Steven Spielberg and Edward Kitsis (Once Upon a Time) are working on a fantasy anthology series based on the 1985–87 NBC series of the same name. Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan), Austin Stowell (Dolphin Tale) and Kerry Bishe (Halt and Catch Fire) are all attached to star in some capacity. Amazing Stories is co-produced by Universal and Amblin. |
Fantasy anthology |
Calls | Riding on the success of the French series of the same name, Calls is another anthology series in production at Apple. This adaptation uses actual audio from a number of curious calls to create minimalistic 10-minute short films. In addition to the fresh adaptation for English-speaking audiences, the original French version has also been picked up Apple as an exclusive. The English version will be led by French creator Timothée Hochet. |
Short film series |
Carpool Karaoke: The Series | Apple picked up the rights to James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke back in 2017 after The Late Late Show segment became something of a viral hit thanks to a series of high-profile musical guests, like One Direction. |
Talk show |
Central Park |
Central Park is an upcoming animated musical comedy from the mind of Bob’s Burgers creator Loren Bouchard. It follows a family of caretakers in Central Park who somehow end up saving the world. Central Park has a magnificent voice cast lineup with Hamilton‘s Leslie Odom Jr, Kimmy Schmidt’s Tituss Burgess and The Good Place‘s Kristen Bell all lending their vocals to the cartoon’s main cast. |
Animated comedy |
Dickinson |
Dickinson is a comedic coming-of-age story based on the life of American poet Emily Dickinson. It will star Hallee Steinfeld (True Grit) in the lead role as Dickinson with Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) co-starring as Emily’s mother. |
Comedy |
For All Mankind | Ronald D Moore (Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica) is whipping up a new sci-fi series for Apple. For All Mankind is a single-camera sci-fi drama that asks the question, “What if the global space race never ended?” Joel Kinnaman (Altered Carbon), Michael Dorman (Patriot) and Sarah Jones (Alcatraz) will lead the main cast. |
Science fiction |
Foundation | This sci-fi will be based on Isaac Asimov’s classic book series of the same name and is set to be produced by David S Goyer (Batman vs. Superman) and Josh Friedman (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). Asimov’s daughter, Robyn Asimov, will also oversee the project as executive producer. |
Science fiction |
Home |
Home is an upcoming documentary series for the Grand Design audience that takes viewers inside extraordinary homes around the world. 10 episodes have been given the green light so far. |
Documentary |
Home Before Dark | This mystery/drama series from Dana Fox (What Happens in Vegas) follows a young girl in her journey to dig up secrets from her father’s past in the hometown he left behind many years prior. Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe) and Abby Miller (Justified) will lead the main cast. |
Mystery |
Little America | Produced by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V Gordon (the duo behind The Big Sick) and Alan Yang (Master of None), Little America is an anthology series based on a collection of true stories of the same name. Each episode will delve into the lives of immigrants living in the USA. |
Drama |
Little Voice | This is a romantic comedy-drama from I Am Sam writer/director Jessie Nelson and singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles. Little Voice will follow a young singer/songwriter trying to make it in New York City, and was described in a press release by Apple as a “universal journey of finding your authentic voice in your early 20s.” |
Romantic comedy-drama |
The Morning Show |
The Morning Show is a drama TV series starring Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell and Billy Crudup that follows employees at an early morning show. With two seasons ordered, this is possibly the most anticipated show from Apple’s current lineup. |
Comedy-drama |
Planet of the Apps | This is The Voice meets Silicon Valley. In each episode, app developers are tasked with pitching their unique app ideas to a celebrity panel of judges, including Jessica Alba, Gwenyth Paltrow, will.i.am and Gary Vaynerchuk. |
Reality show |
See | This upcoming dystopian drama is set in a future where the human race has lost its sense of sight. When twins are born with their sight, this society is thrown into a bit of a rut. See is written by Steven Knight (Eastern Promises) but the coolest thing about this project by far is the fact that it’s got Jason Momoa as a character named Baba Voss. Sign us up! |
Science fiction |
Swagger! | Inspired by producer Kevin Durant’s experiences as a young baller, Swagger! offers a dramatic look at the lives of AAU basketball players, coaches and their families. The series was ordered in December 2018 so it could be a while until more information is revealed. |
Drama |
Truth be Told | Based on the 2017 novel of the same name, Are You Sleeping is a crime drama that takes aim at the rise of true crime podcasts like Serial. The book follows Josie Burhman as her family’s grisly history is pulled into the spotlight by an investigative journalist/podcaster. Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures), Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) are all set to star in the adaptation. The show is set to release in December 2019. |
Crime drama |
In addition to the productions listed above, there are also a number of untitled projects in the works from Damien Chazelle, M Night Shyamalan, Richard Gere, Rob McElhenney/Charlie Day and Simon Kinberg/David Weil.
Plus, Oprah is working on a number of documentaries for Apple including Toxic Labor, a workplace expose, a multi-part mental health series and a Book Club series where Oprah interviews her favorite authors. You can find the full list of TV Shows and movies available on Apple TV+ in our guide.
If you’re interested in seeing how Apple TV+ stacks up against the competition, see our Netflix vs. Apple TV+ comparison.
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Bottom line
If you’re looking for star-studded original content, Apple TV+ is for you. But if you’d prefer to binge your old favorites, compare other streaming services.