After much build-up, Apple announced its new Apple TV+ streaming service, which TV chiefs Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht called, “A new service dedicated to the best stories ever told.” Apple Chief Tim Cook took the stage at the company’s Steve Jobes Theater to reveal the new streamlined upgrade to the three-year-old TV app. Cook described this new venture stating “We love TV, TV is more than entertainment, it’s cultural,” while Apple Services VP Peter Stern added that Apple TV+ is “how TV should work… You should just watch the good stuff… no more bouncing from app to app.”
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From this one hub, users will be able to access Amazon Prime, Hulu, Starz, HBO, Showtime, CBS All Access, BBC America, Epix, live sports, blockbuster movies and more. NOT Netflix you may notice, as Netflix has taken steps to distance itself from Apple over the past year, including making it no longer accessible via Apple TV.
Apple is spending $1 billion on new programming but none of it is ready to go just yet. Included are collaborations with Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Jon M. Chu (‘Crazy Rich Asians’), Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Brian Grazer, NBA star Kevin Durant, Ronald D. Moore (‘Outlander’, ‘Battlestar Galactica’), M. Night Shyamalan, J.J. Abrams, Howard Gordon (’24’), Sofia Coppola with Bill Murray (‘Lost in Translation’), Chris Evans and Jason Momoa. Billy Crudup and Mark Duplass, who star on the Witherspoon/Aniston project, were present, as was Jean Schulz, the widow of ‘Peanuts’ creator Charles M. Schulz.
There are currently 1.4 billion Apple users, all of whom will be able to access this service, which is now available for a free trial. The app will come pre-installed on many smart TVs beginning this fall.
Apple also announced an upgrade to is news service, a games initiative, and a new credit card.
If you own an Apple device, you should now be able to access the new TV app. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Source: Deadline
