On Monday, Apple announced a brand new TV App which will include their highly anticipated Amazon Prime Video Channels competitor called Apple TV Channels. While the official release won’t come until May, Apple released tvOS 12.3 Beta today which includes a preview of the new app, as well as the ability to subscribe to four premium services.
During the Beta, users can try out the new Apple TV Channels feature with four services: Showtime, STARZ, Smithsonian Channel Plus, and Tastemade. When actually released, you’ll be able to access a much wider array of channels including HBO, EPIX, Cinemax, CBS All Access, Comedy Central Now, Sundance Now, PBS Livings, Curiosity Stream, Tastemade, Lifetime Movie Club, Acorn TV, Britbox, Noggin, MTV Hits, and Shudder.
With Apple TV Channels you can subscribe to each service individually, but you can stream all of your subscriptions from inside the TV App. One unique feature is that all the content is available both online or offline, meaning you can take it with you while you’re traveling. The premium subscriptions support family sharing meaning you can share your subscriptions with up to six people in your household.
Apple also surprisingly released a Beta for Apple TV (3rd Gen), the last Apple TV model without the App Store. The beta includes access to the TV App, which is likely included so older Apple TV users can access Apple TV+ — Apple’s original shows, when they are released in the Fall.