Is Apple TV worth it? Should I get Apple TV Plus, or is Netflix a better option? We answer all those burning questions in this article.
How much television and how many films do you watch? Given that much of the world is in lockdown we’re all now watching record amounts of shows. Streaming services have reported a total increase of nearly 5 million subscribers in the U.K alone.
But if you’re budget is limited because of the Corona Crisis what should you do? Which streaming service should you get?
Here’s should I get Apple TV or Netflix?
Variety of Shows
If you’re looking for sheer variety of content, then you can’t go wrong with Netflix based on the fact it has been around longer and so, therefore, has more to offer. Starting life as a DVD rental service, it soon ditched the physical hardware and moved over to streaming.
It has accrued a huge library of archive content from British content services like BBC and ITV as well as major Hollywood films that have moved out of the cinema and have had a DVD/Blueray release.
You can watch classic kids films like Finding Nemo or Toy Story or hard bitting crime thrillers by directors like Martin Scorsese – Wolf of Wall Street or Good Fellars. The content changes every month as the rights expire.
Apple TV Plus doesn’t have anywhere this range of shows but it specializes in specific shows whereas Netflix is focused on the range of content.
Have You Recently Bought an Apple Device?
One of the key factors that might help you decide whether you go for Apple TV Plus or Netflix if your budget is low is the fact that Apple TV Plus is free in some circumstances.
If you have recently bought an Apple device such as a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro 16 inch, then you get a one-year free subscription to Apple TV. This even applies if you have bought an Apple cell phone such as the iPhone 11.
Remember though that the subscription only lasts one year, so if you decide not to continue it after that time, you must remember to cancel to avoid finding yourself stuck with a huge bill.
Unique Programs on Apple TV Plus
What unique programs can you watch on Apple TV Plus? Oprah Winfrey—the Queen of Daytime Talk Shows—has two shows.
The first is the latest iteration of her talk show in which she talks to a number of guests about hot topics such as Covid-19 with Idris Elbra and race relations.
The second of her shows is dedicated to books. But as with her talk show, she focuses on the books that matter to her such as American Dirt about the experiences of Latin American immigrants.
Topical Dramas
Another great show on Apple TV Plus is The Morning Show. This is a tropical drama about a breakfast talk show that is rocked when its main guest is accused of sexual assault and fired.
It deals with how the show’s remaining female anchor deals with the crisis. It stars some big names including Steve Carell and Jennifer Aniston as the two lead anchors.
Another great show—this time a film offering—is The Banker, which dramatizes the real-life attempts of black people in the 1950s to set up a money lending business, fronted by a white man. Big names Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie star alongside Nicholas Hoult—star of the hit British TV show Skins.
If you’re looking for topical programming that reflects the times, then Apple TV Plus is the streaming service for you. This is what is Apple TV good for.
If you’re looking for some more recommendations about what to watch on Apple TV or the benefits of Apple TV be sure to check out this site: https://setapp.com/lifestyle/the-best-apple-tv-apps.
Unique Programs on Netflix
Netflix offers some unique shows alongside its vast archive worth considering in your Apple TV vs Netflix decision.
Their biggest original feature is The Crown, an epic drama charting the history of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II from her marriage to Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, and her accession in 1952 through to the present day.
By no means reverential to the royal family, the drama pushes boundaries by examining controversial moments in The Queen’s reign, not always in a flattering light—from accusations that the Duke of Windsor colluded with the Nazis to an attempted coup by Prince Phillip’s uncle Lord Mountbatten against the government of Harald Wilson.
A fourth season featuring Margaret Thatcher and Diana, Princess of Wales is due in November or December 2020.
Other breakthrough shows include Stranger Things about all things supernatural and more recently Hollywood, an alternative history set in the post-war years giving the much-maligned film industry it’s very own ‘happy ending.’ It stars Jim Parsons of Big Bang Theory fame.
Should I get Apple TV? This Depends on You
Whether you invest in Apple TV Plus or Netflix depends on your own personal needs and what you want to watch.
Apple TV Plus has some great topical and original shows with the big-name stars you would expect Apple to able to attract. The Morning Show dramatizes a topic with which we are all familiar—the accusations of sexual assault and harassment against a beloved star and how the network deals with it. The Banker explores the real-life attempts by black people to lend money in the 1950s in the pre-Civil Rights era.
However, if you are looking for variety, then you can’t beat Netflix, which has an unrivaled collection of films and TV shows from the likes of the BBC, Disney, Pixar, Studio Ghibli, and more. Their original programming is also strong with shows such as The Crown and Stranger Things.
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