In addition to news, spending, and games, Apple aims to revamp the way users access TV and movies, with a host of new and updated services. The company introduced the latest version of its Apple TV app, which includes a new service called Apple Channels. The service allows users to subscribe to select channels, instead of being stuck with channels they don’t want in a set streaming bundle. There was also a preview of Apple TV Plus, which will be Apple’s home for its original series’. Here’s a rundown of the services and what makes them different.
Apple TV Plus
Apple TV Plus is the company’s new streaming service, which will showcase all Apple original shows and films. The service will be available this fall through the Apple TV app. Apple has not divulged pricing details for the service, but preliminary guesses suggest it may sell for around $40 to $45 per month. Several creators and stars of Apple originals were present at the Monday keynote to preview their upcoming projects.
Apple TV Plus originals
Check out some of the originals series’ that will be available through Apple Channels, once it’s available.
- Amazing Stories series by Steven Spielberg
- The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon
and Steve Carell - See starring Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard
- Little America by Kumail Nanjiani
- Little Voice by J.J. Abrams with music by Sara Bareilles
- Helpsters, a Sesame Street based children’s show
- Two documentaries by Oprah Winfrey
Apple TV and Apple Channels
Apple TV is already a hub for bringing content from other popular services to one place. Users can watch the streaming versions of cable providers, such as Spectrum, Optimum, and DirecTV from Apple TV. Other online-only services, such as Hulu, fuboTV, and PlayStation Vue are also available for viewing through Apple TV is free as long as users have a subscription.
However, the upcoming Apple TV update, which will be available for iOS in May and for MacOS in the fall and will bring a new design and Apple Channels, a new method of subscribing to different premium streaming networks in a single location.
Apple showed a list of 26 partners channels, including Starz, Epix, CBS All Access, Comedy Central, Showtime, HBO, and Cinemax. Many of the channels are notably those that are often not available in the packages for rival streaming services, or they are prominent channels and require an additional fee to add on to standard streaming packages. Apple Channels allows users to subscribe to as many of these channels as they wish, using their Apple ID for authentication, payment, and login for all services. Users can watch all of their subscribed channels within the Apple TV App. Other features include Family Sharing without having to share your password — up to six additional family members can share a single account. Users will be able to switch viewing mediums, continuing right where they left off, and to access downloaded content offline.
Once available, the services will be available in over 100 countries and regions. Users will be able to watch through the most recent Apple TV set-top boxes, iPhones, iPads, and the iPod touch. Apple also announced support for the new Apple TV and Apple Channels on several smart TV by manufacturers including, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, and LG, as well as for Roku and Fire TV
Apple has not yet shared details on prices for Apple Channels, but there is
Apple Channels list
Check out the stations that will be available through Apple Channels, once it’s available.
- Acorn TV
- BritBox
- CBS All Access
- Cinemax
- CollegeHumor’s Dropout
- Epix
- Eros Now
- HBO
- Lifetime Movie Club
- Mubi
- MTV Hits
- Nickelodeon Hits
- Noggin
- PBS Living
- Showtime
- Shudder
- Smithsonian Channel Plus
- Starz
- Sundance Now
- Tastemade
- Up Faith and Family
- Urban Movie Channel
