Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2022, and you may be one of the people growing tired of what the streaming service has to offer, Stranger Things be damned.
But don’t let streaming fatigue get you down. Netflix isn’t what it used to be as a lone shark in the streaming world, and plenty of other services have stepped up their game.
There’s one, in particular, that doesn’t get the same attention Netflix and Hulu get, but may just be the best one available right now: Apple TV+.
Although it started out small and slow, Apple TV+ has grown enormously. At its launch, it offered a handful of original TV series for a $4.99 monthly subscription. The response from critics and viewers was lukewarm, with many finding the price too high for such a paltry offering.
Apple’s future in the streaming game looked grim.
But over time, the service has flourished. With Emmy juggernauts like “Ted Lasso,” critical darlings like “Mythic Quest” and “Severance,” and now an Oscar-winning film in “CODA,” Apple TV+ has become a must-have streaming service for anyone who loves TV.
That $4.99 price tag has evolved from an anchor to an asset, too.
Here’s everything you need to know about the hottest streaming service you probably don’t have, including a look at some of its best shows.
How much does Apple TV+ cost?
Apple TV+ costs $4.99 per month, and that’s the lowest price among all the major players in the streaming world.
Netflix, for example, costs anywhere from $10-$20 per month, depending on the plan. And Hulu ranges from $7-$13 per month. Both, of course, do have a higher quantity of content.
What shows are on Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ has a significant library of new and original content. Some of the biggest shows you can watch through the service include:
“Ted Lasso” – A wholesome sports comedy series in which Jason Sudeikis plays a charming, optimistic American college football coach who ends up at the helm of an English soccer team.
“Pachinko” – An adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s masterpiece in which generations of a Korean family confront the difficulties of immigrating to Japan.
“Severance” – A psychological thriller in which an employee of the mysterious Lumon Corporation undergoes a medical “severance” of his work and non-work memories.
“WeCrashed” – A show, inspired by actual events, starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway about the rise and fall of the company WeWork.
“Foundation” – A big budget adaptation of the Isaac Asimov series in which a band of Galactic Empire exiles attempt to save the empire by defying it.
“Central Park” – A musical sitcom in the style of “Bob’s Burgers,” this animated series follows a family living in Central Park as they defend their home from a greedy land developer.
“The Morning Show” – Although not the most critically acclaimed show, this was Apple TV+’s first major original series. It stars Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston.
Does Apple TV+ offer a free trial?
Apple TV+ offers a seven-day free trial that doesn’t require much effort if you already have an Apple ID.
Any purchase of an Apple device comes with three full months of the service. It can also be bundled with other Apple services as part of Apple One.
How to subscribe to Apple TV+
Try out the free trial or sign up for a subscription by going to Apple TV+’s website here.
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Joseph Rejent covers TV, writing about live television, streaming services and cord-cutting. He can be reached at jrejent@njadvancemedia.com.