If you’re bored of Netflix shows, let us introduce you to Apple TV+, a relatively new streaming service that has dozens of original shows. Apple TV+ has a large library of original shows, for everyone. The service launched in November 2019, months before the global pandemic.
However, it did not back down. It could even be argued that it is becoming more and more of a competitor to other streaming platforms.
What is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is a streaming service that was launched in November 2019 and features mostly original content. When the platform launched, nearly three years ago, it had three original shows. But that was only the starting point. Since then it has grown exponentially and has racked up a number of awards for its movies and series.
The streaming service started off with For All Mankind. This little space show asks the question of ‘what if the Soviets had landed on the moon first?’ In this world the space race never ended. This show has been very well received by anyone who’s watched it and has an 87% average audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This show, which is one of the originals of Apple TV+, has now premiered its third season.
The other two offerings that premiered with the service were The Morning Show, and See. The former stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon as broadcast journalists on the Morning Show as they navigate a difficult world and touch on topics that are more than relevant in our society like the #MeToo movement.
Throughout 2020 and 2021 the streaming platforms never failed to roll out shows that everyone could enjoy. From the Mosquito Coast, to Home Before Dark to Ted Lasso, the platform had something to entertain everyone.
Who does Apple cast in its shows?
Something that makes Apple TV+ a unique streaming network is that its tv shows and movies feature some seasoned and experienced actors and some less well known. Indeed, Defending Jacob, featured Chris Evans (Marvel/Captain America) and The Morning Show has Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde/Elle Woods) and Jennifer Anniston (Rachel Green/Friends).
However the platform also puts forward many many less well known actors and many foreign actors. For example, Icelandic actress Hera Hilmar stars in See as Maghra. The platform doesn’t stop at adults. Indeed, Home Before Dark features a large ensemble of younger actors like Brooklynn Prince and Kylie Rogers.
It is safe to say that everyone can feel represented through the casts and characters of Apple TV+ shows.
Successful during awards season
If you followed the awards seasons in the last few years you might have seen that Apple TV+ shows and movies have done very well for themselves. This year the movie CODA won best picture at the 2022 Academy Awards. When CODA won (Child of Deaf Adults), it became the first ever Best Picture recipient in the academy’s history to be distributed by an internet streaming service. In that case Apple TV+.
Moroever, the funny little comedy show, Ted Lasso took home a large amount of Emmy’s in 2021. It was nominated 20 times and won 7. There is no doubt that Apple has big hopes for its shows.
A unique streaming service
One of the key reasons why Apple is becoming such a rival to other streaming platforms is that it is unique. From the shows it has and produces to the price tag, little rivals it.
Apple TV+ shows are unique. They are well thought through, original and offer what could be argued as high end TV. Apple has dozens of shows available to stream and has dozens more planned out. Rarely have we seen a show where humans are born blind in a post apocalyptic world (See) on platforms like Netflix. Furthermore, Apple makes its viewers want to stick around. Unlike with Netflix, when a new show is released they only release one episode every week. That is definitely a good marketing strategy if you want to keep your voters longer than the binging of one TV series.
However it should be reiterated that Netflix Originals are also great shows and we do not seek to attack them. The aim here is to simply raise the awareness of these new original shows, that always feature incredible acting and special effects and amazing casts.
Moroever, Apple is relatively cheap compared to Netflix. In the US Apple TV+ is only $5 a month or $50 for a whole year. And Netflix in the US is $15,50 a month. This makes Apple TV+ one of the cheapest streaming services with almost all original content.
Apple TV+ is unique in the way that most of its content is original. It does not have a deep library of licensed shows and movies like you find on Netflix or Disney Plus. But, with its high end shows and cheap subscription prices, the tech giant’s streaming service is likely to continue to grow in rivalry to the more established streaming services.
The future is looking bright
The future is bright for this streaming platforms. As it already boasts so many original shows, old and new, it has many, many more in development. Some high profile movies are also lined up. Indeed Apple TV+ has just secured the rights to Brad Pitt’s Formula One movie that will see Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, produce.
Season 3 of For All Mankind is now streaming and the third season of the comedy show Ted Lasso is in production. This is only the beginning for this tech giant. There is no doubt that it will soon become even more of a rival to these streaming services.
