Today, Apple officially launched their brand new TV App as part of iOS/tvOS 12.3 which includes their highly anticipated Amazon Prime Video Channels competitor called Apple TV Channels. With this release, users can try out the new Apple TV Channels feature with 15+ services: HBO, Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax, Epix, Smithsonian Channel Plus, PBS Living, Acorn TV, Sundance Now, Lifetime Movie Club, Urban Movie Channel, Tastemade, CuriosityStream, MTV Hits, and Comedy Central Now.
While you can subscribe to Apple TV Channels individually, one benefit is that 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 that you can take it with you while you’re traveling. The premium subscriptions also support family sharing so you can share your subscriptions with up to five other people in your household.
The Apple TV app itself includes a brand new design that curates collections of movies, TV shows, sports, and kids. The kids section include editorial to help pick shows and movies safe for kids. As before, the app also allows you to buy or rent movies directly from the Apple TV app, rather than using iTunes.
Coming in the Fall, Apple will be launching Apple TV+ which includes original shows from Oprah, J.J. Abrams, Steven Spielberg, Kumail Nanjiani, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carrell, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Momoa, and Alfre Woodard. While pricing of the service has yet to be revealed, many expect it to be bundled with the purchase of Apple devices.