Why is Apple TV+ not popular?

[nickdalzell1]

I remember when the customer was the be-all-end-all of any business. anger them, they leave, you go bankrupt. Anyone else remember those times?

Now? it's like the customers buy buy buy even from a company that screws them over and over and over...I don't get it, either.

 

[Rigby]

I think in general they (as in all the streaming services) just don't get it. People just want to be able to stream whatever they want when they want. The notion of subscribing to multiple services just to get the programming you want defeats the whole "cut the cord" mentality. We had that crap with Comcast.

The big difference is that you can build your own bundle rather than being forced to buy a Comcast plan with 100 channels of which you only watch 5. You can also subscribe/unsubscribe each service individually from month to month rather than being locked into contracts.

Instead of slicing up the content amongst numerous outlets, make the content available to all outlets. Consumers can choose what platform they like best and everyone creating content will get their slice of the pie.

Aggregators like the Apple TV app kind of do that by letting you browse, search and manage a watchlist across most video apps and channels. Granted, the UI is currently too confusing, but I think they have the right idea to make multiple streaming services manageable for the user by bringing it all together in one app.

Right now you have people jumping services as content dries up on one to seek out another. So instead of you actually getting 1 year of constant subscription, you get a month every so often... and that so often can be a very long break for some.

Sure, but if there was one service with all content it would be more expensive than the individual ones, and you would again be paying for a lot of stuff you don't actually watch like in the bad old days of cable TV.

There's absolutely no reason to restrict Picard or The Mandalorian or The Handmaids Tale or whatever title you enjoy to one service.

There is a reason: money. The content owners want to sell directly to the customer without having to pay middlemen like cable companies for the distribution.

 

[C DM]

I remember when the customer was the be-all-end-all of any business.

Shareholders are basically that.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Being able to watch anything on any platform was the intent of regulations passed years ago so "universal" boxes could exist - choose a box and watch anything. Those regulations were just dropped. I don't think they were really getting anywhere anyway.
No matter who and what platform and whomever is king - developers need to make development money back plus making a profit,
One of the key requirements, for me, is the universal guide. Sometimes we are just looking for something to watch and don't really want to try and remember where that show we wanted to watch exists. As part of that I don't want to have to subscribe to HBO, for example, from one platform and not be able to watch an HBO show on another platform.

 

[Rigby]

One of the key requirements, for me, is the universal guide. Sometimes we are just looking for something to watch and don't really want to try and remember where that show we wanted to watch exists.

The Apple TV version of the TV app largely solves this. It can find content across all the major streaming services (even Netflix, which does not officially integrate with the app).

 

[nickdalzell1]

Apple TV and Amazon Prime try to offer a universal guide but it's darned confusing especially for those expecting purely Apple TV + content and they see a buy button and wonder what gives.

Plus on my ATV4K it gets confused. I can watch Roseanne on Amazon but for some reason the ATV app thinks I need Filmrise app to view it. It also has issues sorting out my purchased shows from those on Hulu or Prime. I bought the entire series of Saved by the Bell but it still insists I need hulu to watch it unless I go to the TV Shows app.

 

[AZhappyjack]

The Apple TV version of the TV app largely solves this. It can find content across all the major streaming services (even Netflix, which does not officially integrate with the app).

But you still have to subscribe to multiple streaming services to see content... and cost-wise, it can easily approach the cost of a cable or satellite subscription. After 15-20 years of arguing and discussing it, we are no further ahead.

 

[Rigby]

But you still have to subscribe to multiple streaming services to see content... and cost-wise, it can easily approach the cost of a cable or satellite subscription. After 15-20 years of arguing and discussing it, we are no further ahead.

I think we're in a much better position. Nobody forces you to subscribe to all services all the time. Turning them on and off takes just a few mouse clicks (or, in case of Apple TV channels, you can do it directly on the Apple TV). Thank god we're no longer locked into contracts with Comcast or have to pay for their crappy set-top boxes.

The only big thing I'm missing in the Apple TV app is an option to hide all subscription content from services that I'm not currently subscribed to to make the content easier to navigate.

 

[CTHarrryH]

But do I have to subscribe to the streaming services from Apple or if I have a subscription otherwise does it work

 

[Rigby]

But do I have to subscribe to the streaming services from Apple or if I have a subscription otherwise does it work

It does work with external subscriptions too for the major streaming apps. The TV app will then launch the respective app to play the content when you select "play" in your watchlist or in a search result. Apps that support TV app integration also update the watchlist in the TV app automatically.

 

[nutmac]

It does work with external subscriptions too for the major streaming apps. The TV app will then launch the respective app to play the content when you select "play" in your watchlist or in a search result. Apps that support TV app integration also update the watchlist in the TV app automatically.

The side effect is the confusion. Apple TV+ is not easily discoverable enough on the TV app. Apple can solve this by (1) adding TV+ tab/banner and (2) a setting to hide contents that requires additional subscription or purchase.

 

[nickdalzell1]

They already have number 1. The Apple TV+ 'channel' if you scroll down.

 

[AL2TEACH]

Apple TV+ content needs to be a tad bit more eh mature/edgy but that will take more time. At the moment I can't see The Boys or Lovecraft Country stuff passing through Apple's PG garden.

 

[ErikGrim]

Apple TV+ content needs to be a tad bit more eh mature/edgy but that will take more time. At the moment I can't see The Boys or Lovecraft Country stuff passing through Apple's PG garden.

Apple's PG garden? Like Ted Lasso dropping f-bombs in front of kids and centering plot points around being called a wanker? Or the gore and sex in See? Or the psychological torture of Servant?

SEE’s first episode include several blood-splattered fights and masturbation scenes. We aren’t spoiling plot details but the first episode includes a lot of mass fighting, gore, and blood.

What ****ing PG garden?

 

[danny842003]

Apple TV+ content needs to be a tad bit more eh mature/edgy but that will take more time. At the moment I can't see The Boys or Lovecraft Country stuff passing through Apple's PG garden.

In see there was some chick doing masterbating whilst reciting the Lord’s Prayer (I think that’s the correct prayer) I wouldn’t consider that to be very PG.

Looking at Apple one it will cost me $4au extra to keep tv+ at the end of my trial and gain arcade(which I’m really not interested in).
whilst I haven’t watched heaps isn’t he past year I’ve watched and enjoyed enough to be happy to keep it for $4 a month.

 

[JBGoode]

Apple TV+ content needs to be a tad bit more eh mature/edgy but that will take more time. At the moment I can't see The Boys or Lovecraft Country stuff passing through Apple's PG garden.

You haven’t watched a single thing on it have you? There is some very adult content on Apple TV+. Some that easily forays into R rated territory.

 

[CTHarrryH]

The fact that "negative" threads on this forum totally outnumber positive ones about specific shows probably shows while not positive.
It will be interesting now that, for many, the free year will be up soon - how many renew vs. cancel.
I've watched a couple of shows and they were very good but just can't get interested in more.

 

[Retsiem]

I can only speak for myself.
I activated the free 1-year trial and after looking at some of the shows I stopped using it.
The reason for me is that I did not like the content.

 

[Eric Idle]

I can only speak for myself.
I activated the free 1-year trial and after looking at some of the shows I stopped using it.
The reason for me is that I did not like the content.

Ted Lasso, Mythic Quest, Tehran.......your loss.

 

[DavoteK]

I can only speak for myself.
I activated the free 1-year trial and after looking at some of the shows I stopped using it.
The reason for me is that I did not like the content.

Content is not the issue, I think majority of the stuff they've done has been excellent.

Its the delivery method. Awful user interface.

 

[nickdalzell1]

I've noticed recently during me watching later episodes of TMS that Apple TV+ now has 60 second 'ads' before the show begins. Kinda sucks as Amazon Prime does this (even when watching non-original content) enough that it bugs me. No skipping option either.

Hoping they can sell the shows on iTunes in the future because I don't pay to see more 'ads'. even if they're teaser trailers.

 

[Eric Idle]

I've noticed recently during me watching later episodes of TMS that Apple TV+ now has 60 second 'ads' before the show begins. Kinda sucks as Amazon Prime does this (even when watching non-original content) enough that it bugs me. No skipping option either.

Hoping they can sell the shows on iTunes in the future because I don't pay to see more 'ads'. even if they're teaser trailers.

60 seconds of ads? Absolutely brutal. Have you tried alcohol?

 

[AZhappyjack]

I've noticed recently during me watching later episodes of TMS that Apple TV+ now has 60 second 'ads' before the show begins. Kinda sucks as Amazon Prime does this (even when watching non-original content) enough that it bugs me. No skipping option either.

Hoping they can sell the shows on iTunes in the future because I don't pay to see more 'ads'. even if they're teaser trailers.

"Ads" or promo/preview/teaser for another show? Genuinely curious. Do you go to the movie theater, pay $10+ to watch a movie and get previews and advertisements? Just curious.
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60 seconds of ads? Absolutely brutal. Have you tried alcohol?

Yeah, maybe annoying... but "absolutely brutal"? Drama much?

 

[JBGoode]

.

 

[nickdalzell1]

It's a trailer for other 'originals' same as Amazon Prime, albeit unskippable and you have to wait for them. Annoyed me on Prime as well. If I want to watch them, I'll click on them and play them. Sorry, they're still ads to me. This didn't happen when I watched For All Mankind but if this is what's happening soon I hope they sell the shows on iTunes. I'd buy the series before watching more ads.

Haven't went to an actual movie theatre since like 2008. With the 'rona going on I doubt it will happen in the future either. That, plus the fact I have a 65" 4K TV here that makes movies far more fun without the screaming kids, oily popcorn and gum stuck to my shoes.