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How to get the most out of your Apple TV+ subscription
Apple's streaming service already delivers bingeworthy shows at a great price, but there are ways to get it even cheaper
Television connoisseurs know that Apple TV+ has quietly built one of the best catalogs of new shows in the business. Ranging from spine-tingling horrors like Widow's Bay to heartfelt comedies like Shrinking, the Cupertino tech giant boasts a deep roster of prestige television well worth adding yet another subscription.
The streaming wars are a cutthroat battle for eyeballs and dollars. At its onset, the cable-cutting revolution promised the platonic ideal of entertainment: cheap subscriptions, unlimited content spending and, most importantly, no ads. However, many viewers opine that the great viewing migration hasn't fulfilled these implicit promises. With the great spending spree on its last fumes and companies shifting business strategies, fans have seen their streamers hike prices, incorporate ads, and prioritize algorithms over quality. In this entertainment economy, maximizing your streaming service feels like a moral, financial and artistic imperative.
Apple, for its part, continues to go above and beyond to attract viewers to its streaming network. Although the tech giant raised its price last year, viewers can maximize their subscription through discounted bundles, special features, family sharing and a wealth of live events. Apple is trying its best to incentivize you to watch Apple TV+. It's time you took advantage.
Let's start with your wallet. A subscription to Apple TV+ is $12.99/month. Although three dollars more than its previous subscription price, it remains cheaper than most of its competitors' ad-free offerings, with Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and Disney+ all charging from $17 to $20 a month.
Apple allows viewers to share their subscription with five family members. Although its Family Sharing system is more complicated than merely texting your deadbeat brother the password every time a new Severance episode drops, it allows you to also share purchases like apps, movies and audiobooks. However, it's important to note that the family's account holder agrees to pay any purchases made on Apple TV+, so you may want to think twice about adding your cousin with the obscure anime addiction.
If you're like me, and your commitment issues extend to your streaming preferences, there are several ways to try Apple TV+ for free. For one thing, the streamer offers a seven-day free trial for those looking to go on a binge. If you plan on buying a an iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch or Apple TV 4k, you can redeem up to three months of free Apple TV access with your purchase.
Students, meanwhile, are eligible for the Student Plan, which offers subscriptions to both Apple TV and Apple Music for $5.99. Students are also eligible for a month-long trial, rather than the standard seven days.
Apple fanatics can save on their subscription by going all in on the company's products with Apple One. Ideal for those invested in the Apple ecosystem, Apple One gives you four subscriptions, namely Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade and 50GB of iCloud space for $19.95, saving you $12/month. Users can share their Apple One subscription with five family members for $25.95/month. Family plans also have access to 200GB of iCloud+ storage. For $37.95, Premier subscribers add Apple's Fitness+, News+ and 2TB of cloud storage to their Apple One account. Apple allows customers to try Apple One for a 30 days without charge.
Apple offers several bundle deals to maximize your streaming dollars. Last year, the tech giant partnered with NBCUniversal to allow Apple TV+ subscribers to add Peacock for just two dollars. Home to The Office and its successor, The Paper, Love Island, live sports and the Shrek franchise, NBCUniversal's platform is a strong addition to your streaming diet. At $14.99, it remains cheaper than many of the competition's standalone packages.