Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced Apple TV+, an over-the-top (OTT) video subscription service, coming this fall. Apple TV+ will feature original programming, ad-free and on demand on the Apple TV app.
"We're honored that the absolute best lineup of storytellers in the world - both in front of and behind the camera - are coming to Apple TV+," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "We're thrilled to give viewers a sneak peek of Apple TV+ and cannot wait for them to tune in starting this fall. Apple TV+ will be home to some of the highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet."
Additionally, Apple debuted the Apple TV app and Apple TV channels coming in May 2019. The new app is intended to bring together the different ways to discover and watch shows, movies, sports, news and more in one app across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, smart TVs and streaming devices. Users can subscribe to new Apple TV channels - paying for only services they want - on demand, on and offline, as well as content from cable and satellite providers and purchase or rent iTunes movies and TV shows.
Beginning in May, customers can subscribe to Apple TV channels a la carte and watch them in the Apple TV app, with no additional apps, accounts or passwords required.
Pricing and availability for the Apple TV+ video subscription service will be announced later this fall.
Through Family Sharing, users can share Apple TV+ and subscriptions to Apple TV channels.
The Apple TV app will be available on Samsung smart TVs beginning this spring and on Amazon Fire TV, LG, Roku, Sony and VIZIO platforms in the future. Later this year, customers with eligible VIZIO, Samsung, LG and Sony smart TVs will be able to play videos and other content from their iPhone or iPad directly to their smart TVs with AirPlay 2 support.