What is Apple TV Plus? UK price, original content, and is it worth it

Whether you want in on the action with the sci-fi thriller series Severance directed by Ben Stiller, Slow Horses starring Gary Oldman, or are looking for a chart-topping comedy like Ted Lasso, or want to watch the 1950's drama Lessons in Chemistry based on the bestselling novel from Bonnie Garmus, it's all there ready for you.

There's also kids' favourites including Interrupting Chicken and Shape Island, as well as new releases constantly on the horizon. Look out for season four of For All Mankind which premiers on Friday 10th November, and Martin Scorsese's latest masterpiece Killers of the Flower Moon, which will be released later on in the year.

Feeling swayed by the platform? We've put together a handy guide on Apple TV Plus with all the details you need to know, from what exactly is it, how much it costs and how to watch it. Here is all you need to know.

Sign-up for Apple TV+ for £8.99 at Apple

Sign-up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ at Apple

What is Apple TV Plus?

Apple TV Plus is a streaming service that puts its focus on original shows and movies - so don't expect other shows or movies from the past to be added in the way they are on streamers such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. It features award-winning series and dramas such as Ted Lasso, Bad Sisters and The Morning Show, as well as documentaries, family-friendly movies, kids entertainment, and more. And with new Apple Originals added every month, subscribers really are spoilt for choice.

Sign-up for Apple TV+ for £8.99 at Apple

Sign-up for aseven-day free trial of Apple TV+ at Apple

How much does Apple TV Plus cost in the UK?

Here in the UK, Apple TV Plus will set you back £8.99 a month. It has recently jumped £2 from £6.99 a month, following price increases in the US too, but we think it's still worth it - and it still comes in at a more affordable option than other streaming services, such as Now TV.

Other streaming platforms Netflix and Disney have also raised their monthly subscriptions in the last few months, due to increased costs and the need to make more programmes.

And if you want to try before you buy, Apple Plus TV offers a seven-day free trial to new subscribers. Your plan will then automatically renew at £8.99 per month, unless cancelled.

Sign-up for Apple TV+ for £8.99 at Apple

Sign-up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ at Apple

How to watch Apple TV Plus in the UK

You can watch Apple TV Plus on all available devices - that's compatible smart TVs, fire sticks and gaming consoles, just search your app store for Apple TV Plus and install it. It is easier to sign up via the website than it is to navigate through the process on devices and it makes signing in a lot easier too so if you have access to a laptop, definitely get yourself set up that way first before logging into the app.

The service is also available on the PlayStation and Xbox stores, so you can watch on your PS4, PS5, and the Xbox Series X.

And as of November 2023, Virgin Media TV customers can now watch Apple TV Plus on channel TV360 and Stream. That means easy access to all the must-see critically-acclaimed TV and movies, all from you Virgin Media TV, so there's no missing out. For more information on Virgin Media's streaming TV box, check out our guide to What is Stream?

Watch the best TV, films and documentaries, all streaming now with Apple TV+

What TV shows are available on Apple TV Plus in the UK?

The library of original shows keeps on growing for Apple TV Plus. Hits like For All Mankind and Ted Lasso were so well received they came back for new seasons, as well as shows Invasion, The Morning Show, and Physical.

Upcoming titles include Killers of the Flower Moon (release date tbc) and the next instalment of For All Mankind (coming on Friday 10th November)

Here is a list of some of the other current shows on Apple TV Plus:

• 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything
• Acapulco
• Amazing Stories
• Bad Sisters
• Becoming You
• Black Bird
• Calls
• Central Park
• Dear...
• Defending Jacob
• Dickinson
• Doug Unplugs Adventure
• Dr. Brain
• Earth at Night in Colour
• El Deafo
• For All Mankind
• Foundation
• Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock
• Get Rolling with Otis
• Ghostwriter
• Greatness Code
• Harriet the Spy
• Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show
• Home
• Home Before Dark Mystery
• Invasion
• Lessons in Chemistry
• Lincoln's Dilemma
• Lisey's Story
• Little America
• Little Voice
• Losing Alice
• Make or Break
• Mr. Corman
• Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet
• Now and Then
• Oprah Talks COVID-19
• Oprah's Book Club
• Pachinko
• Physical
• Pinecone & Pony
• Prehistoric Planet
• Puppy Place
• Roar
• Schmigadoon!
• See
• Servant
• Severance
• Shining Girls
• Silo
• Slow Horses
• Snoopy in Space Adventure
• Stillwater
• Suspicion
• Swagger
• Ted Lasso
• Tehran
• The Afterparty
• The Big Conn
• The Enfield Poltergeist
• The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
• The Line
• The Long Game: Bigger Than Basketball
• The Me You Can't See
• The Morning Show
• The Mosquito Coast
• The Oprah Conversation
• The Problem With Jon Stewart
• The Shrink Next Door
• The Snoopy Show
• The Super Models
• They Call Me Magic
• Tiny World
• Truth Be Told
• Trying
• Visible: Out on Television
• Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson
• WeCrashed
• Wolfboy and the Everything Factory

What movies are available on Apple TV Plus in the UK?

On the movie side of things, the Tom Hanks-starring Greyhound was a good example of the type of quality we should expect from Apple TV Plus. And there are many more movies on the platform, from the new comedy The Beanie Bubble to upcoming sci-fi romance film, Fingernails, starring Jessie Buckley and Jeremey Allen White from The Bear (available to stream from Friday 3rd November). Ridley Scott's latest epic action movie Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix will be on the platform later this year - watch this space.

Here is a list of some of the other current movies on Apple TV Plus:

• 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas
• Argylle
• Beastie Boys Story
• Billie Eilish: The World's A Little Blurry
• Blush
• Boys State
• Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You
• CODA
• Cha Cha Real Smooth
• Cherry
• Come From Away
• Dads
• Fathom
• Finch
• Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds
• Flora & Son
• Greyhound
• Hala
• Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
• It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown
• Luck
• Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special
• Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues
• On the Rocks
• Palmer
• Raymond & Ray
• Sharper
• Spirited
• Swan Song
• The Banker
• The Beanie Bubble
• The Elephant Queen
• The Greatest Beer Run Ever
• The Pigeon Tunnel
• The Sky is Everywhere
• The Tragedy of Macbeth
• The Velvet Underground
• The Year Earth Changed
• Underrated
• Who Are You, Charlie Brown?
• Wolfwalkers

Watch the best TV, films and documentaries, all streaming now with Apple TV+

What Apple TV Plus channels are there?

Here in the UK, we can subscribe to several channels through Apple TV. StarzPlay is the main one here with many shows such as Outlander included, while you can also sign up to Acorn TV, Crime Investigation Play, History Play, BFI Player, Noggin, Moonbug Kids, MUBI and Taste Made.

How does Apple TV Plus compare to other streaming services?

Apple TV Plus is one of the later entrants to the streaming market - and unlike its predecessors Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and NOW TV, Apple's streaming service has taken the approach of focusing on original content backed by big-name celebrities rather than establishing a back catalogue of older titles.

This is in stark contrast to Netflix, the first major streaming service which placed an emphasis on quantity - it is the home of several classic films and TV shows, on top of the countless hours of original content that is released every year including top shows such as The Crown and Stranger Things.

Fellow streaming service Amazon Prime Video also has a strong selection of both older content and original hits such as The Boys and The Grand Tour, and has also ventured into the world of live sport. However, Amazon Prime Video is notable for the other benefits that come with your subscription - including free next-day delivery for starters.

NOW takes a somewhat different approach, and offers both live-streaming and on-demand viewing of Sky content without a contract. NOW is often the first port of call for major movies after their cinema release, and is the UK home of prestige HBO content such as Game of Thrones and Chernobyl.

Disney Plus is an even newer entrant to the streaming world - but by no means the least. As you would expect Disney Plus is home to old favourites and original shows set in the worlds of Disney, Marvel and Star Wars - including smash hits The Mandalorian and Loki - as well as a few titles you wouldn't expect in its Star section including The Walking Dead and Pam & Tommy.

That's without mentioning services like All 4 and BBC iPlayer - it really is a tight competition to be named the best streaming service around!

Sign-up for Apple TV+ for £8.99 at Apple

Sign-up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ at Apple

Is Apple TV Plus worth it?

We think so! For £8.99 per month, there's a whole lot of content on there for every type of movie fan or TV show binger.

Sign-up for Apple TV+ for £8.99 at Apple

Sign-up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ at Apple

For more tech news check out our Technology section. If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.