Apple TV+ has done something very, very naughty. Apparently, either some numbers didn’t add up or the company simply wanted more profit, so the streamer has raised its price substantially. Not that this came as a surprise — the elephant in the room has always been Apple TV+’s cost compared to its limited quantity.
When some streamers have announced a price hike (Netflix, we’re looking at you), the outcry has been loud. Some users even try to intimidate streamers by threatening to unsubscribe. This happens with other services that have thousands of films and TV shows to offer, and we can’t imagine what has happened after the Apple TV+ announcement. Comparing content libraries gives a clearer idea of what we mean. While their shows and movies are good, the price is high. Frankly, anyone with enough time can easily watch Apple TV+’s entire catalog in a short period. Is there any real need to maintain a subscription to a streamer once you’ve exhausted its content?
What’s the New Cost of the Apple TV+ Subscription?
How Does It Compare To Other Platforms?
Effective August 22, the subscription will cost $12.99 per month, up from $9.99 per month. That is a whopping 30% increase, without a corresponding increase in content. Nevertheless, compared to other streamers, Apple TV+ is neither the most expensive nor the cheapest. Its cost is roughly average compared to Netflix, HBO Max, and Prime Video, which offer different plans (some ad-free and some with ads), but all fall in a similar price range. Netflix, HBO, and the Disney/Hulu bundle plans have gone for more than $20 a month. It is definitely a luxury to subscribe to just about every streamer out there.
It’s important to highlight that the annual subscription hasn’t varied in price, and users who subscribe for a year can still save a bit of money. Then again, while the streamer keeps releasing new films and shows more frequently than before, the entire catalog doesn’t expand at the same pace as, say, Netflix does.
Apple TV+ Couldn’t Justify Its Price Before – Now It’s Just Outrageous
The problem with Apple TV+’s price hike is that, at $12.99, its library is just too small to attract users. Per Tom’s Guide, the current library hosts fewer than 100 titles, between films and TV shows. When compared to Netflix, Prime Video, HBO, and even Paramount+, whose content library is relatively small, this number is just outrageous. By contrast, other streamers offer thousands of titles. We should clarify that Apple TV+ only offers original programming, while the other streamers don’t have this limitation and offer licensed material.
There are a few advantages to Apple TV+ worth noting. The streamer does not charge extra for high-definition streaming, and 4K is always available. It is also available in over 100 countries, and the content is the same for all users. There are no licensing fees, and everyone from around the globe can stream the same shows and films. Live sports are a plus, though they come at an additional cost.
When it launched, Apple TV+ only cost $4.99. But it just had a couple of films and TV shows available to stream. We’re not asking Apple TV+ to match other streaming services. The price should reflect the service’s offerings, and $12.99 feels steep when shows like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, and Severance won’t release new seasons for some time.
