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Apple TV+ launches November 1

Apple TV+ launching with $7.99 subscription fee.

Apple TV+ launches in Australia on 1st November at cost of $7.99 a month, and also comes with a free 7 day trial.

That’s cheaper than Netflix and Stan and $1 less than the upcoming Disney+ on $8.99 from Nov 17.

As of now customers who purchase any new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch will also be given free access to Apple TV+ for one year.

“With Apple TV+, we are presenting all-original stories from the best, brightest and most creative minds, and we know viewers will find their new favourite show or movie on our service,” said Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “Each Apple TV+ original offers its own unique story, fresh perspective and powerful message — all meant to entertain, connect and inspire cultural conversations.”
“Apple TV+ is an unprecedented global video service with an all-original slate,” said Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “We look forward to giving audiences everywhere the opportunity to enjoy these compelling stories within a rich, personalised experience on all the screens they love.”

You can read more and register to be notified of launch here.

Amongst the new shows are:

Morning Wars
Friday Night Lights’ Kerry Ehrin will serve as showrunner, writer and executive producer for a series about morning show anchors starring Reese Witherspoon Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell. Apple won a bidding war for the show, which will get two 10-episode seasons. Carell will be making his return to television as the male lead and morning show anchor, Mitch Kessler, it was announced at the Apple event. Carell is well known for his role as Michael Scott on The Office and his Oscar-nominated performance in Foxcatcher.

Little America
Apple announced that husband-and-wife duo Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon are writing and executive producing a show about immigrants. Here’s hoping it’s as magical as The Big Sick. Nanjiani appeared at the Apple event to provide more background on Little America.

See
Apple has ordered See, a sci-fi drama set in a future where humans are born blind, written by Stephen Knight and directed by Francis Lawrence. Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa, has been cast as warrior Baba Voss, and Woodard has been cast as Paris, an adviser and priestess. Both Momoa and Alfre Woodard appeared at the Apple event to provide more background on the sci-fi show See.

Are You Sleeping?
Based on a novel by Kathleen Barber about true crime podcasts, this drama, according to Variety, will star Octavia Spencer, along with Aaron Paul, Lizzy Caplan, Elizabeth Perkins and Mekhi Phifer. It’s being co-produced by Spencer’s production company Orit Entertainment, Reese Witherspoon’s company Hello Sunshine and Chernin Entertainment. It wasn’t mentioned onstage, but Spencer featured in the filmmakers short (above), and Caplan and Paul were shown in the trailer montage.

Defending Jacob
Chris Evans (aka Captain America) will be executive producing and starring in Defending Jacob, based on the novel by William Landay. Defending Jacob is a crime thriller about a father whose teenage son is accused of murder. The show will be created, written and executive produced by Mark Bomback (screenwriter for the Planet of the Apes trilogy).

Oprah’s docuseries
Oprah spoke at Apple’s event today to provide more background on her Apple partnership. She announced two documentaries, Toxic Labor and a multi-part untitled series about mental health. She also announced bring back her famous Book Club, as some sort of interview show.

Amazing Stories
Apple’s partnered with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and NBC Universal to bring us a 10-episode reboot of the anthology series Amazing Stories. Bryan Fuller was originally hired as executive producer and showrunner. He’s since stepped down and been replaced by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, best known for their work on Lost and Once Upon a Time. Spielberg spoke at Apple’s special event today to provide more background on the pilot.

Sesame Workshop multi-series
Apple is partnering with Sesame Workshop to bring us original children’s programming, though Sesame Street is not a part of the deal. Big Bird spoke with new neighbor Cody at the Apple event to provide more background on the series Helpsters.

Dickinson
Apple is putting a comedic twist on the life of Emily Dickinson, with a series that will star True Grit’s Hailee Steinfeld. Apple has also announced 30 Rock’s Jane Krakowski will play Mrs. Dickinson, Emily Dickinson’s mother. While not mentioned by name, the show appeared onscreen numerous times.

Little Voice
J.J. Abrams is executive producing a half-hour musical dramedy with songs written by Sara Bareilles. Depending on your tolerance for musicals, this show may or may not feel like purgatory. Abrams and Bareilles spoke at Apple’s event to provide more background on the show and Bareilles performed the theme song for the upcoming series.

This post updates.

10 Responses

  1. Morning Wars is the only thing that would vaguely interest me so far but not enough to pay for. But if I ever did want to get on board, do I still get to use it as an Android user? Or do I need some sort of Apple device?

  2. Great move by Apple though to make it free for 12 months with any purchase. That means instantly an audience of over 50 million worldwide who can sample the service. And the price is lower than many predicted – it has to be to compete. The four shows they’ve advertised actually look really good.

  3. None of these shows interest me and even with Apple offering their shows free for 1 year as a trial, if you have Apple TV, I’d still not be interested to watch any of them. It was mentioned on a TV podcast the Jennifer Aniston show has cost 15 US million an episode that’s pretty ridiculous and the Jason Momoa sci-fi show is costing at least 20 mill an episode.

    1. As with all these things I couldn’t care less about their originals – I want to know what known quantities they’ll have, that’s why Dusney+ is so appealing straight out the gate.

      Tentpole Peak TV aegis are great but there’s so many of them now We’re spoiled for choice – of rather something old school to put on in the background

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