The reason it is not more popular is because there is not much content, and it costs money to watch anything except Apple-generated content. This is not a good combination for success.
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Why is Apple TV+ not popular?
- Thread starter ghanwani
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They can address this, as well as the lack of buzz/subscriber base by:
- Creating a separate tab for Apple TV+ in the Apple TV app, similar to the News+ tab in Apple News.
- Developing an Apple TV+ app for Android and Windows, and create ads highlighting that the service can also be accessed at tv.apple.com. Most people assume that they need an Apple device to watch anything on this service.
- Increase the trial period to at least 30 days to those who are interested. Much better if they can extend it to 3 months similar to Apple Music, but that's wishful thinking.
- When setting up a new Apple device, there should be a splash screen that checks if the Apple ID signed in is eligible for a 1-year free subscription. If not eligible, it just won't show up. Incorporate that in the setup process. Make people know that this service exists!
This. for a company supposedly all about UI and usability, appletv sucks.
Compared to the competition out there, it offers very little. For many products it is said that Apple does not invent them but improves them and only releases them when they are better than what is out there and/or offers something very unique that users find indispensable. Well, on that criteria Apple TV+ is a big fail.
It's an antidote to toxic and morally bankrupt TV like Netflix. Even in its adult offerings, there's some lesson to be gained at the end of the season or at least something to be inspired by. That makes it a better service for me. They also seem to be selective in the shows they're giving a greenlight to, unlike Netflix who accepts every single series offered to them, no matter the quality.
As with most Apple products, give it 5 or so years and it will become much popular.
Maps and Apple Music started out bad; now years later, they are much better.
Maps and Apple Music started out bad; now years later, they are much better.
The best part is - TV+ is actually starting out quite strong in the quality department, so I see user adoption surging once people realize what they're missing. This free sampling of TV+ shows during quarantine was a brilliant idea.
Because the content is average. The Morning Show is their "service seller" and it wouldn't even make HBO's top 10.
So wrong. Apple TV+ is anything but average. Home Before Dark is already better than Morning Show, and Morning Show was my favorite show of 2019. Apple TV+ has had hit after hit after hit. It is my favorite streaming service of 2019-2020 so far. Far far better than Netflix.
Yes, it’s so average that people think Home Before Dark is an award winning show.
Content is king - they have neither the breath and depth of content available on platforms like Netflix and Amazon, established IP like Disney, nor expensive, crowd pleasing shows like the Mandalorian. Instead they've focused mostly on less "epic", more serious dramas like The Morning Show and For All Mankind, which while decent only really appeal to specific demographics - a hard science, alt-history space show in the style of Apollo 13 or First Man isn't exactly Star Wars. Maybe once they've broadened out their library the situation might be a bit different, but for now it's a bit of a hard sell honestly.
Meanwhile Amazon is spending a billion dollars making a Lord of the Rings TV show. The competition is rough.
Meanwhile Amazon is spending a billion dollars making a Lord of the Rings TV show. The competition is rough.
They needed way more content at launch (according to Wiki, when it rolled out on Nov 1st, there were 8 shows ...) given the competitive nature of streaming services (all vying for our $$$), they missed market mindshare - now playing catch up is going to be difficult.
They've had the delivery platform (UI/UX issues notwithstanding), lots of talent, and deep pockets, yet it was still a __stunningly__ mediocre rollout, with 10 shows / 1 movie closing out 2019 (± a show or two ...).
As someone pointed out earlier in this thread, other options generally have one of a couple of things (or even a good mix of both): lots of back-catalog and/or semi-new content to supplement their original IP (Netflix, Prime, Hulu HBO), huge amount of top tier IP (Disney, HBO fits here too).
Apple needs to acquire, and/or make a deal with some popular original content providers, package up things as an aggregate service.
They've had the delivery platform (UI/UX issues notwithstanding), lots of talent, and deep pockets, yet it was still a __stunningly__ mediocre rollout, with 10 shows / 1 movie closing out 2019 (± a show or two ...).
As someone pointed out earlier in this thread, other options generally have one of a couple of things (or even a good mix of both): lots of back-catalog and/or semi-new content to supplement their original IP (Netflix, Prime, Hulu HBO), huge amount of top tier IP (Disney, HBO fits here too).
Apple needs to acquire, and/or make a deal with some popular original content providers, package up things as an aggregate service.
Their only misses are Truth Be Told (and I hope the second season is going to be good) and Amazing Stories. Amazing could have been better if they gave it at least 10 episodes like originally reported, so they can experiment with more stories and themes. 5 is truly restrictive for an anthology like it.
100% agreed. Truth be Told and Amazing Stories were indeed the only two misfires. I thought Truth be Told was a mega misfire, while Amazing Stories was a misfire in that it didn't live up to the expected hype. I came in with low expectations and I found a lot to like in AS.
Finally upgraded my old Apple TV3's to Apple TV HD's a couple days ago and just activated the free one-year Apple TV plus subscription last night. So far, I'm underwhelmed. As others have said, the user interface is confusing at best. Based on the description, "For All Mankind" sounded interesting, so I watched the first two episodes. Found it very boring, it reminded me of a bad 1960's movie called "Countdown" that was basically a soap-opera about astronauts and their wives.
Will check out some of the other offerings, but they don't really look like my kind of programs. I set a calendar alert to remind me before the free trial ends, but not sure that I'll even make it that far....
Will check out some of the other offerings, but they don't really look like my kind of programs. I set a calendar alert to remind me before the free trial ends, but not sure that I'll even make it that far....
You really need to watch 4 episodes of For All Mankind to get a feel for the show. The first 2 and a half episodes introduce the characters and world. It ratchets up once you hit the midpoint of the show.
Fair enough, and I do plan to stick with it for awhile. However, there's an old saying "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression". I have spent over 40 years working in live theater and would say "good luck" if you expect the audience to return from intermission after two boring acts.
I remember about 20 years ago, before people had smartphones, we did a show that was pretty bad. The PR Director was very surprised when people walked out at intermission, drove back home, sat down at their computers and sent us nasty e-mails before the show was even over. 😂
I remember about 20 years ago, before people had smartphones, we did a show that was pretty bad. The PR Director was very surprised when people walked out at intermission, drove back home, sat down at their computers and sent us nasty e-mails before the show was even over. 😂
TV series is always subjective. One man's Seinfeld is another person's one man's Jerry Springer Show, and vice versa.
But most TV shows do not start with a bang (exceptions exist of course). For what it's worth, here are my subjective grades for Apple TV+ series, and number of episodes before it hits its stride:
- Amazing Stories: 6 out of 10, not applicable as each episode is standalone
- Dickinson: 7 out of 10, 5th episode
- For All Mankind: 8 out of 10, 5th episode
- The Morning Show: 9 out of 10, 2nd episode
- Mythic Quest: 8 out of 10, 3rd episode
- See: 5 out of 10, N/A it started fine, but got gradually worse for me
This is the first time I’ve heard someone mention toxic, morally bankrupt, and Netflix in the same sentence. But, you’re absolutely right. Most of the programming on Netflix is vapid and uninspired.
I did sign up for the free 12-month subscription as part of buying a new 4th Gen iPadPro 12.9”. Watched a few shows, saw lots to buy, and haven’t used it beyond the first few times. Since I returned the new iPadPro, I wonder if I’ll be allowed to keep the 12-month free subscription. Truth be told, I wouldn’t care much either way. The Apple TV subscription hasn’t been at all life-changing, and I wouldn’t pay for it in its current implementation at the end of the free year.
A saturated market and not enough content. The quality of the programming is very good and production values are high. The shows are industry award-winning and generally very positive reviews... but there's not enough there. In the UK the key streaming players are Amazon (previously LoveFilm), Netflix, Disney+, NowTV (Sky) and BritBox but you can also get premium versions of the ITV Hub and ad-free access to the UKPlay channels. From what I gather the situation is even worse in the united states with Hulu, HBO Go/Max/whatever its called next, CBS all access and soon Peacock... it's too many.
Covid has caused a delay to new programming on all the streaming services but at least most of the other streaming services have their back catalogue of original stuff plus an archived of licenced/syndicated material.
Apple has some great shows and I've really enjoyed what I've watched and look forward to season 2 of several shows, but even I would struggle to recommend it as a service for 4.99.
My view (and i think it's rumoured to be announced later this year) is that Apple should start bundling services together. Each AppleTV+ sub should also get me some iCloud storage, for example, maybe TV and Music should be combined for a reduced price compared to individual costs too. Value needs to be added to make it more appealing and for Apple they can easily give some iCloud storage away because its already their own ecosystem. The benefit to that is that it also makes it more appealing to stay as iDevice owners
Covid has caused a delay to new programming on all the streaming services but at least most of the other streaming services have their back catalogue of original stuff plus an archived of licenced/syndicated material.
Apple has some great shows and I've really enjoyed what I've watched and look forward to season 2 of several shows, but even I would struggle to recommend it as a service for 4.99.
My view (and i think it's rumoured to be announced later this year) is that Apple should start bundling services together. Each AppleTV+ sub should also get me some iCloud storage, for example, maybe TV and Music should be combined for a reduced price compared to individual costs too. Value needs to be added to make it more appealing and for Apple they can easily give some iCloud storage away because its already their own ecosystem. The benefit to that is that it also makes it more appealing to stay as iDevice owners
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The issue for me is with their content. There are few options and most are serious dramas. To tell the truth after a day of work I like light comedies. They offer one show in that range. Mythic Quest. I watched it. It was ok and I say this as a computer program, game player. I have had a hard time finding anything else worth watching, so right now their service is not for me.
Now I must say that Covid has not helped things because they may have had plans to add a number of shows but were unable.
Now I must say that Covid has not helped things because they may have had plans to add a number of shows but were unable.
Trying is light. It's a great comedy as well. Ted Lasso is light - just came out. Central Park is incredible - and a light show (comedy musical). Dickinson is another excellent, light comedy. Little America is light and has comedy elements.