Apple TV Plus review and Australian streaming guide
A complete guide to Apple TV Plus and how it compares to other streaming platforms in Australia.
Key takeaways
- You do not need an iPhone or a Mac to watch, because the streaming app works natively on most major smart televisions and gaming consoles.
- You can package the streaming platform together with Apple Music and iCloud storage through an Apple One subscription to save money.
- As at July 2026, you can share a single subscription with up to five family members and stream on six screens at the same time.
Apple TV Plus is a premium subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to original movies and television shows. It serves as a dedicated hub for big budget exclusives starring major Hollywood actors. The platform operates on a flat monthly fee with no hidden quality tiers to decode.
Apple TV Plus takes a completely different approach to the streaming wars. Instead of buying up old movies and classic television shows to pad out a massive library, Apple built a platform exclusively for its own original content. This means everything you watch on the service is a brand new production featuring serious talent.
You might not keep it running in the background for white noise, but it serves as a reliable destination for high quality, award winning drama and comedy.
How much does Apple TV Plus cost?
Apple charges a single monthly subscription fee for full access to the streaming platform. There are no pricing tiers, so every subscriber gets the exact same features and maximum video quality without paying extra.
You also have the option to bundle the service through Apple One. This bundles your television streaming with other services like Apple Music, Apple Arcade and iCloud storage for one combined monthly fee.
If you buy an eligible new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac, Apple throws in three months of the streaming service for free. You must claim this offer within 90 days of setting up the new device.
How the free trial works
New users can test out the platform with a standard seven day free trial. You need to create an Apple ID and link a valid payment method to activate the trial.
Once the seven days end, the account automatically rolls over to a paid monthly subscription. If you just want to binge a specific show and leave, you need to cancel the subscription in your device settings before the trial period expires.
What devices support Apple TV Plus?
You can stream Apple TV Plus on almost any modern screen, not just devices made by Apple. The app is widely available on most major smart televisions and gaming consoles.
- Smart televisions. You can download the app natively on Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Vizio and Hisense televisions.
- Streaming sticks. The service works on Apple TV hardware, Amazon Fire TV sticks, Chromecast with Google TV and Fetch TV boxes.
- Gaming consoles. You can stream shows through your PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X or S.
- Mobile and web. The platform works on iPhones and iPads, and you can watch via a web browser on Android phones, Windows PCs and Mac computers.
How the streaming features compare
A good streaming service is like a reliable local pub. You want to know exactly what is on tap and that it will not cost you extra for a clean glass. Apple keeps things simple by including premium features as a standard part of the service.
- Video quality. Almost all original shows and movies stream in brilliant 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range.
- Simultaneous streams. You can watch on up to six different screens at the same time without locking anyone out.
- Family sharing. You can share a single subscription with up to five other family members using Apple Family Sharing.
- Offline viewing. The mobile app allows you to download episodes directly to your Apple device for watching on a flight or a train.
The best shows and movies on Apple TV Plus
The platform focuses on prestige television, recruiting massive stars and acclaimed directors to build out the library.
For comedy fans, the heartwarming football series Ted Lasso remains a massive drawcard, alongside the Harrison Ford therapy comedy Shrinking. Drama lovers get exceptional science fiction thrillers like Severance, Silo and Dark Matter.
The movie catalogue is much smaller than the television side, but it features heavy hitters. Highlights include the Oscar winning drama CODA, the historical epic Killers of the Flower Moon and the Tom Hanks war film Greyhound.
The platform has also started experimenting with live sports. Depending on your region, you can stream Friday Night Baseball games during the regular Major League Baseball season.
Frequently asked questions
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