Apple TV+ Is Apple's Answer to Netflix, Amazon Prime; Coming This Fall

After serving with Apple News + for the appetizer, and Apple Arcade for the entree, Apple finally gave the big main dish. The big focus tonight was on Apple's streaming service, and the company today debuted officially under the name of Apple TV +.

Apple TV+ Is Apple’s Answer to Netflix, Amazon Prime; Coming This Fall to 100+ Countries

After serving with Apple News + for the appetizer, and Apple Arcade for the entree, Apple finally gave the big main dish. The big focus tonight was on Apple's streaming service, and the company today debuted officially under the name of Apple TV +.

Apple TV + is essentially Apple's entry into a world dominated by Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu. Apple says it presents the "most creative storytellers in the world with exclusive original programs, films and documentaries." It's coming this fall and will include shows created by people like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan, Jon M. Chu and other great names in Hollywood.

Apple TV + will be part of the Apple TV application, which is also being renewed and Apple is taking it to other smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio, along with applications for Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

Through the new Apple TV application, users can subscribe to Apple TV channels, including HBO, SHOWTIME and Starz, and cable and satellite TV channels for sports, news and networks. In addition, you can buy or rent movies and iTunes programs. "The application will offer suggestions for programs and movies from more than 150 streaming applications, including Amazon Prime and Hulu, as well as pay-TV services such as Canal +, Charter Spectrum, DIRECTV NOW and PlayStation Vue. Optimum and Suddenlink of Altice will be added later this year, "said Apple.

The price and availability for the Apple TV + video subscription service will be announced later this fall. The new Apple TV app will reach iPhone, iPad and Apple TV customers in more than 100 countries with a free software update this May and a Mac this fall. Through Family Sharing, users can share Apple TV + and subscriptions to Apple TV channels.

The Apple TV app will be available on Samsung's smart TV starting this spring and on Amazon Fire TV, LG, Roku, Sony and Vizio TVs in the future. AirPlay 2 support also comes to select smart TVs with Apple TV support.