Is Apple TV Plus Worth It?
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It’s here! But is it GOOD? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at whether AppleTV+ is worth it.
Launched on November 1st, Apple TV+ is Apple’s answer to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The subscription streaming service is Apple’s first foray into original video content, and was announced with no little fanfare in March 2019 - complete with celebrity appearances by Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Jason Momoa. That’s a lot of hype . . . but, now that it’s out, does it deliver?
Arguably, Netflix remains the benchmark in user experience - accessible across platforms and devices, and easy and efficient to search and browse. In terms of availability, Apple TV+ is slightly more limited. It’s accessible through Apple’s website and TV app, which is available on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs, as well as Amazon Fire sticks, Roku devices, and most smart TVs. However, there’s no app for Windows or Android, and users of Chromecast and Android TVs will need to find workarounds.
As for the user interface, well that depends on how you feel about the Apple TV app. Like everything Apple, it’s sleek and smooth at first glance; however, it does lack some handy features, like preview and autoplay. It also mixes in Apple TV+ shows with everything in the iTunes’ catalogue, so you’ll have to scroll down to the Apple TV+ channel. Poor, lazy fingers!
Of course, what’s really important is what you can watch there! And the answer for now is . . . well not that much. Unlike Netflix, Apple TV+ only features original content, which upon launch comprised of 8 series and 1 documentary film.
Apple TV+’s flagship series is “The Morning Show”, starring Jennifer Anniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carrell, and following the behind-the-scenes drama of, you guessed it, a morning show. Each episode reportedly cost an average of $15 MILLION! Reviews, however, have been decidedly mixed, with critics calling the writing thin and uninspired. Audiences have been more enthusiastic, but it’s probably not the next big TV drama.
The science fiction Jason Momoa vehicle “See” has fared even worse with the critics, who lambasted the post-apocalyptic drama for a convoluted narrative and unintentional comedy. Mind you, as with “The Morning Show”, Apple only released the first three episodes at launch, with new episodes weekly. It’s an interesting approach that will irk those of us who prefer to binge, but perhaps please viewers who want something to look forward to each week.
Probably the most solid programs on offer are also the least hyped: the black comedy “Dickinson”, about poet Emily Dickinson, and the alternate history series “For All Mankind”, in which the Soviets beat NASA to the Moon. The first season of “Dickinson” was released all at once, while episodes of “For All Mankind” come out weekly.
There’s also a revival of “Oprah’s Book Club” and, for the kids, Sesame Street’s “Helpsters”, a reboot of “Ghostwriter”, and “Snoopy in Space”.
The cream of the crop however is quite possibly the gorgeous yet poignant nature documentary “The Elephant Queen”, which is already collecting accolades.
Fortunately, what Apple TV+ lacks in variety, it makes up for in vision.
Apple is sinking a huge amount of money into original programming. The psychological horror series “Servant” arrives on November 28th, with the true crime series “Truth Be Told” following hot on its heels in December. In film, there’s the coming-of-age drama “Hala” coming soon, and “The Banker” starring Anthony Mackie and no less than Samuel L. Jackson!
Dozens of other series have been ordered or are in development. Among them are Steven Spielberg’s rebooted anthology series “Amazing Stories” and war drama miniseries “Masters of the Air”, developed with Tom Hanks. J. J. Abrams is jumping on the Apple train too, producing the Stephen King miniseries “Lisey's Story” and executive producing romcom “Little Voice” alongside Sara Bareilles and the drama “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends”, starring Jennifer Garner.
Also in the works are adaptations of Isaac Asimov’s sprawling “Foundation” series and Gregory David Roberts’s biographical novel “Shantaram”.
And if that doesn’t get you excited, how about Jon Favreau’s BBC dinosaur documentary series “Prehistoric Planet”? Alright, we’re coming around . . .
Pricing
Launched on November 1st, Apple TV+ is Apple’s answer to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The subscription streaming service is Apple’s first foray into original video content, and was announced with no little fanfare in March 2019 - complete with celebrity appearances by Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Jason Momoa. That’s a lot of hype . . . but, now that it’s out, does it deliver?
User Experience
Arguably, Netflix remains the benchmark in user experience - accessible across platforms and devices, and easy and efficient to search and browse. In terms of availability, Apple TV+ is slightly more limited. It’s accessible through Apple’s website and TV app, which is available on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs, as well as Amazon Fire sticks, Roku devices, and most smart TVs. However, there’s no app for Windows or Android, and users of Chromecast and Android TVs will need to find workarounds.
As for the user interface, well that depends on how you feel about the Apple TV app. Like everything Apple, it’s sleek and smooth at first glance; however, it does lack some handy features, like preview and autoplay. It also mixes in Apple TV+ shows with everything in the iTunes’ catalogue, so you’ll have to scroll down to the Apple TV+ channel. Poor, lazy fingers!
Content
Of course, what’s really important is what you can watch there! And the answer for now is . . . well not that much. Unlike Netflix, Apple TV+ only features original content, which upon launch comprised of 8 series and 1 documentary film.
Apple TV+’s flagship series is “The Morning Show”, starring Jennifer Anniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carrell, and following the behind-the-scenes drama of, you guessed it, a morning show. Each episode reportedly cost an average of $15 MILLION! Reviews, however, have been decidedly mixed, with critics calling the writing thin and uninspired. Audiences have been more enthusiastic, but it’s probably not the next big TV drama.
The science fiction Jason Momoa vehicle “See” has fared even worse with the critics, who lambasted the post-apocalyptic drama for a convoluted narrative and unintentional comedy. Mind you, as with “The Morning Show”, Apple only released the first three episodes at launch, with new episodes weekly. It’s an interesting approach that will irk those of us who prefer to binge, but perhaps please viewers who want something to look forward to each week.
Probably the most solid programs on offer are also the least hyped: the black comedy “Dickinson”, about poet Emily Dickinson, and the alternate history series “For All Mankind”, in which the Soviets beat NASA to the Moon. The first season of “Dickinson” was released all at once, while episodes of “For All Mankind” come out weekly.
There’s also a revival of “Oprah’s Book Club” and, for the kids, Sesame Street’s “Helpsters”, a reboot of “Ghostwriter”, and “Snoopy in Space”.
The cream of the crop however is quite possibly the gorgeous yet poignant nature documentary “The Elephant Queen”, which is already collecting accolades.
Upcoming Releases
Fortunately, what Apple TV+ lacks in variety, it makes up for in vision.
Apple is sinking a huge amount of money into original programming. The psychological horror series “Servant” arrives on November 28th, with the true crime series “Truth Be Told” following hot on its heels in December. In film, there’s the coming-of-age drama “Hala” coming soon, and “The Banker” starring Anthony Mackie and no less than Samuel L. Jackson!
Dozens of other series have been ordered or are in development. Among them are Steven Spielberg’s rebooted anthology series “Amazing Stories” and war drama miniseries “Masters of the Air”, developed with Tom Hanks. J. J. Abrams is jumping on the Apple train too, producing the Stephen King miniseries “Lisey's Story” and executive producing romcom “Little Voice” alongside Sara Bareilles and the drama “My Glory Was I Had Such Friends”, starring Jennifer Garner.
Also in the works are adaptations of Isaac Asimov’s sprawling “Foundation” series and Gregory David Roberts’s biographical novel “Shantaram”.
And if that doesn’t get you excited, how about Jon Favreau’s BBC dinosaur documentary series “Prehistoric Planet”? Alright, we’re coming around . . .
Pricing
Given their lack of content at launch, Apple is keeping the price of their subscription service low, at $4.99 a month. It can be shared with up to six other people through Family Sharing. And if you’ve recently purchased a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac, you get one year free! That’s pretty competitive. But does it make it worth it?! Weeell . . .
Verdict
On one hand, the price is relatively low for a video-on-demand subscription service. On the other, there’s not actually that much to watch on there! So the question of whether it’s worth it really depends on your interest in the current content. Mind you, if you HAVE recently purchased an Apple product, might as well get that free year. And there are definitely good things to come in terms of future programming.
For now, if you’re not desperate to watch “The Morning Show”, “See”, “Dickinson”, “For All Mankind”, or “The Elephant Queen”, there isn’t much point. However, Apple TV+ is one to keep an eye on, and definitely has huge potential.
Our Mojometer score? Well, it’s not a Hell No, and it’s better than Meh, but it’s not Must-Have either.
We’re giving it a 2.5 outta 4: a Lukewarm Shrug.
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