April 22, 2022, 12:50 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
With the multitude of streaming services I use, I had long put off getting Apple TV. But then various original series from the provider piqued my interest. I subscribed–and could have easily left it at the free trial week. Unfortunately, Apple TV did not convince me.
Netflix, RTL+ and Amazon Prime Video–these three actually provide me with enough content to keep me entertained. But then I suddenly found myself in COVID-19 quarantine, so I needed more. It was an opportunity to try out and sign up for a (trial) subscription with Apple TV. Fortunately, the setup was a breeze. What followed was a rollercoaster of emotions.
Mood 1: Great Enthusiasm
OK, wow. The picture. The actors! Apple TV is a whole different ballgame compared to, say, Netflix with its mundane original productions. The picture is razor-sharp and the sound quality is excellent. A big plus: the many different languages and subtitle options. I certainly wouldn’t stop at the (free) trial week; especially since Apple TV is relatively cheap at 4.99 euros per month. I’ll definitely treat myself to one.
My first days glued to the couch were spent with “The Morning Show,” followed by the charming “Ted Lasso.” These were actually the main series that had been recommended to me. Check!
Mood 2: Moderate Enthusiasm
What annoyed me a bit the whole time: Every time a new episode started, I had to access the language settings and turn off the subtitles again. German subtitles kept appearing, even though I never set them. Could it be because I’m watching the app via my Fire TV Stick (4K)?
Also interesting: Is the Fire TV Stick worth it without an Amazon Prime subscription?
While browsing the content, I kept noticing the familiar faces of top-notch actors. After Teddy, I thought I might watch “Severance” or “Suspicion.” But none of them really caught me. It was unfortunately always the same few series that were shown to me, even though I thoroughly combed through the app. My preliminary test verdict for the selection: semi.
Video Streaming Services in a Comprehensive Comparison
Joyn vs. RTL+ – Which Streaming Service Is Worth It?
Mood 3: Disappointment
In such a COVID-19 quarantine, you also think of series and movies you could watch for distraction. Something that’s not too demanding. Maybe “The O.C.” would be fun again–I loved it as a teenager and it’s currently running in German on RTL+. Apple TV apparently has it too, in English. But oh dear, you’d have to pay a hefty 19.99 euros for a season here!
When I then wanted to select another movie that was shown to me in the Fire TV main menu, I understood what wasn’t quite right here. The app apparently mixes content included with Apple TV and the regular iTunes offerings in the user interface. So, you have to pay extra for a lot of it.
Conclusion: Apple TV Did Not Pass My Test
Apple TV is certainly far ahead of the competition in terms of quality. However, I find the selection of content too small, and combined with the suboptimal operation, I often felt frustrated. Standing alone, 4.99 euros doesn’t hurt, meaning you could keep the streaming service subscribed and occasionally check in. But I haven’t caught myself on Apple TV for weeks and will therefore cancel my subscription.
We explain how easy it is to cancel your Apple TV subscription here.