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Since its rise as a premium streaming service in November 2019, Apple TV Plus has swiftly established itself as a major player in the streaming market and a keen competitor to other leading services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. Apple TV Plus offers an extensive catalog of big-budget original shows, movies, and documentaries known for their high production values, stellar casts, and innovative storytelling. Over the years, the streaming platform has produced notable titles that have gained critical attention and significant viewership, such as “Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking,” “CODA,” and “The Morning Show,” which have helped Apple TV Plus gain an impressive number of 25 million subscribers across 100 countries, including Canada.
One of Apple TV Plus’ unique features is its convenient integration with Apple devices, allowing users to conveniently navigate the platform while exploring various entertainment options, all within the Apple ecosystem. Apart from that, Apple TV Plus has flexible membership plans and free trials that give users the opportunity to enjoy what the platform has to offer for free or at an affordable price.
In this review of Apple TV Plus Canada, we will give you a detailed guide to all of its content, features, and other benefits to help you decide whether an Apple TV Plus subscription is worth it.
Apple TV Plus at a Glance
Apple TV Plus’ prime features include a convenient integration with Apple’s ecosystem, notable original programming, an on-demand library, a variety of high-quality video and sound resolutions, and offline streaming.
Product Specs
- Original programming
- On-demand library
- Integration with Apple devices
- Offline streaming
- Simultaneous screens
- 4K Dolby video and sound resolution
New users are eligible for a seven-day free trial, which gives them a chance to test out all of its content and features before they commit to a paid subscription. If you have recently purchased a new Apple device, such as an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple TV set-top box, you are automatically eligible for a three-month trial.
Why Should You Get an Apple TV Plus Subscription
Aside from its library of high-production shows, Apple TV Plus offers standout features designed specifically for iOS devices that deliver an enhanced streaming experience, making it a compelling platform choice for users invested in the Apple ecosystem. Read on to learn about the exclusive and immersive features you can enjoy with an Apple TV Plus subscription.
All Original Streaming Library
Apple TV Plus offers a much smaller array of content compared to its competitors. The streaming service has less than a hundred original shows and movies combined. However, Apple TV Plus makes up for in quality what it lacks in quantity. Apple TV Plus puts great effort into curating a select number of high-quality content to guarantee that each production receives the appropriate creative attention and resources it requires. The Apple platform is widely known for its big-budget, original content and its frequent collaboration with Hollywood’s greatest talents in filmmaking and acting, resulting in a catalog of standout titles. With its emphasis on quality, Apple TV Plus provides its viewers with innovative storylines, unforgettable performances, and high production values.
The streaming platform has received critical acclaim for its exclusive content, such as “Severance,” “Pachinko,” “The Crowded Room,” “The Morning Show,” “Silo,” and “Ted Lasso.” Apple TV Plus continues to bolster its reputation for quality productions with an upcoming lineup of highly-anticipated projects such as: “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a Leonardo DiCaprio starrer film helmed by Martin Scorsese; and “The Beanie Bubble,” which features “Succession” star Sarah Snook.
Video-on-demand library
While Apple TV Plus focuses on bringing original productions, users can still rent or purchase third-party content on the platform through its extensive video-on-demand library which contains thousands of blockbuster movies and episodes of beloved TV shows. However, the on-demand content is sometimes not separated from the Apple TV originals, which can be quite misleading for users.
Offline streaming
You can easily download your favorite shows to your device when you want to stream offline or have a limited internet connection. This feature is perfect for users that are always on the go.
High-quality video and sound resolution
You can enjoy Apple TV Plus’ content in the highest video and sound quality supported by your device. All of its original content can be streamed from HDR to 4K with a Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision feature.
Parental control
Apple TV Plus has a parental control setting that lets adults set up a passcode to restrict children from accessing content with explicit themes that are not appropriate for younger audiences.
User-friendly Interface
Just like most Apple hardware, the streaming platform also boasts a sophisticated and minimalist interface that focuses on simplicity and ease of use, providing users with a seamless viewing experience. Its interface has a robust algorithm that gives personal recommendations that suit each user’s preferences accurately. Each show and movie are neatly categorized into their respective genres, and users also have the option to create their own watchlists. Overall, it has one of the best user interfaces among its competitors. However, promotional ads appear before the beginning of some content on Apple TV Plus, which others may find disruptive. These ads usually last 10 seconds and are designed to promote other shows on the platform.
MLS Season Pass
Movie geeks aren’t the only ones who can enjoy Apple TV Plus. Sports fans can also get in on the action with the MLS (Major League Soccer) Season Pass. The MLS Season Pass is an add-on feature that provides soccer enthusiasts access to a variety of MLS content, such as live matches, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, and more.
Multiple devices
Apple TV Plus allows up to six simultaneous screens that are perfect for households who share their accounts. Apple users also have the privilege of the platform’s streamlined integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Unfortunately, a lot of non-Apple devices are still restricted from accessing the platform. But you can still enjoy Apple TV Plus on selected devices, including game consoles like the Xbox and Playstation, and streaming devices like Roku, Google TV, and Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Family sharing plans
The Family Sharing feature allows subscribers to share their streaming privileges with up to six family members in a single membership plan.
Apple One Bundle
Apple One is an all-in-one package that enables Apple users to subscribe to multiple services at once for a much lower price. The bundle includes Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, iCloud, Apple News, and Apple Fitness. Availing yourself of an Apple One bundle is a good way to save extra pennies from your membership rather than subscribing to each service individually.
Apple TV Streaming Library
Apple TV Plus is best known for its high-quality original content. While the number of available titles may still be minimal, Apple TV Plus originals still deliver a diverse range of genres, such as thrillers, comedies, romance, action, and more, ensuring that there is something for everyone’s interests. Here’s a list of some of the best Apple TV Originals that you can binge-watch.
Apple TV Plus series
- Ted Lasso
- Severance
- Pachinko
- The Morning Show
- The Crowded Room
- Platonic
- Silo
- Hijack
- Black Bird
- The Last Thing He Told Me
Apple TV Plus Movies
- CODA
- Sharper
- Causeway
- CHA CHA Real Smooth
- Ghosted
- The Tragedy of Macbeth
- Tetris
- Palmer
- On The Rocks
- Emancipation
Apple TV Plus Documentaries
- Dads
- Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me
- Prehistoric Planet
- The Year Earth Changed
- STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie
- Beastie Boys Story
- Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry
- 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room
- The Call Me Magic
- Home
How To Sign Up for an Apple TV Plus Free Trial in Canada?
New Apple TV Plus members are entitled to a 7-day free trial. Initially, Apple TV Plus offered a year-long trial for new users of any Apple device, such as iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple TV set-top boxes. However, Apple stopped offering the one-year free trial in 2021 and replaced it with three-month free access instead. Meanwhile, college students are eligible for a discounted subscription to Apple Music for CAD$6 monthly, which comes with a free Apple TV membership.
Here’s how you can redeem your free trial on Apple TV Plus:
On your Apple device:
- Open the Apple TV Plus app on your device.
- Sign up with your Apple ID and password.
- A “Start Your Free Trial” tab will automatically appear on your screen. Click on it.
- Enter your payment credentials.
- Click “Confirm” to finalize your trial.
On web browsers:
- Visit the Apple TV Plus website. www.tv.apple.com
- Sign up with your Apple ID and password.
- A “Start Your Free Trial” tab will automatically appear on your screen. Click on it.
- Enter your payment credentials.
- Click “Confirm” to finalize your trial.
Make sure to cancel before the seven-day period ends to avoid automatic charges.
What Makes Apple TV Plus Different From Other Streaming Services?
If you’re not satisfied with Apple TV Plus’ exclusive features and limited original library, you might want to check out some of its top competitors to see if they suit your preferences better.
Netflix
Netflix has become the top streaming platform over the past few years because of its rapidly growing collection of popular original content. However, it is also heavily criticized for its pricey subscription plans that only offer streaming services, unlike other platforms. If you’re looking for a streaming service with an endless collection of content and do not mind paying for an expensive plan, then Netflix might be perfect for you. But if what you’re after is affordable, consistent, and high-quality storytelling, then Apple TV Plus might suit you better.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a powerhouse for critically-acclaimed productions like “Game of Thrones,” “The Sopranos,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Last of Us,” and Apple TV Plus comes close. Both platforms prioritize delivering top-notch content that appeals to discerning audiences. HBO Max also houses third-party content, unlike Apple TV Plus. However, HBO Max is more expensive than Apple TV Plus and is still not available in Canada. If you prefer a hassle-free experience without the need to use a VPN to access high-quality shows, Apple TV Plus can be a better option.
Hulu
Unlike Apple TV Plus, Hulu primarily focuses on bringing in more content from other reputable studios, such as HBO Max, Disney Plus, and Showtime. This gives Hulu the edge in terms of offering an extensive range of entertainment options. But like HBO Max, it is still geo-restricted in Canada and is relatively pricier than Apple TV Plus.
How Much Will Apple TV Plus Cost After the Trial Period?
If you sign up for the stand-alone membership, it will cost CAD$8.99 once your trial ends. On the other hand, if you’ve subscribed through the Apple One bundle, then you will be automatically charged CAD$18.95 after the trial. You can avail of any of the following Apple TV Plus plans if you decide to continue with a paid subscription:
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Simultaneous Screens | Video Resolution | Free Trial Period |
| Stand-alone subscription | CAD$8.99 | 6 devices | HDR to 4K | 7 days |
| Apple One bundle | CAD$18.95 | 6 devices | HDR to 4K | 1 month |
Pros
- High-quality original content
- Convenient integration with Apple devices
- Affordable and flexible plans
- Long trial period for new users of Apple devices
- Long trial period for new Apple One subscribers
- Up to six simultaneous screens
- Family Sharing plan
- Live sports programming
- Offline streaming
- On-demand catalog
Cons
- Not compatible with non-Apple devices
- Limited quantity of content
- No third-party content
Quality Over Quantity
Apple TV Plus is not the ideal streaming service for those who wish to binge-watch their beloved classic shows for the umpteenth time. But if you value innovative storytelling, standard production values, and outstanding performances from the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, then Apple TV Plus is the right choice for you. At an affordable price, Apple TV Plus promises its users a smooth streaming experience. Its curated collection of carefully crafted original shows, movies, and documentaries ensures an engaging content selection that you can indulge yourself in with high-quality video and sound resolution.
