September has arrived, which can only mean one thing: Apple is set to launch a host of new products, alongside news of the highly anticipated Apple TV+ and nine exclusive shows.
Tim Cook took to the stage in Cupertino, California, to announce details of Apple’s new TV streaming service which is set to launch on November 1.
Focusing on exclusive content is the aim of the game for Apple, who have invested heavily in their latest venture in a bid to rival Netflix and Disney for a cut of the market share.
A number of exclusive shows have already been announced - the most notable of which is The Morning Show, Jennifer Anniston’s first TV series since Friends which also stars Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell.
UPDATE: Despite not talking about it on launch night, Apple have now confirmed that 90s kids show Ghostwriter is being re-imagined in time for the Apple TV+ launch. Written and directed by Luke Matheny, the series will focus on a ghost that haunts a bookstore, unleashing fictional characters into the real world, as four children battle to discover the ghost's unfinished business. A bid to rival Netflix's domination of the children's sector with Stranger Things, it looks to be another decent exclusive from the tech giant ahead of launch day.
Dickinson is also set to launch with the service, starring Hailee Steinfeld, depicting the life of poet Emily Dickinson.
But the biggest star was undoubtedly the trailer for See - the new series starring Jason Momoa, which focuses on a civilisation, hundreds of years in the future, that has lost the gift of sight. Apple worked closely with sight organisations to create and develop the series, which goes on to depict the birth of a new generation that has regained their ability to see and the challenges they face.
These four exclusive shows are set to be joined by six others: For All Mankind, Helpsters, Snoopy in Space, The Elephant Queen, and a new, exclusive project from Oprah Winfrey.
Coming in at $4.99 - which includes family membership - Apple are offering a whole year of Apple TV Plus for free to those purchasing an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV. Customers will have three months after the activation of their new device to claim the offer, according to the company’s press release. Here’s a run-down of what we know about the new service:
- What is Apple TV+? It is Apple's new streaming service that will showcase a host of exclusive TV shows including The Morning Show, Dickinson and SEE.
- What is the Apple TV+ release date? It will launch on November 1 in 100 countries including the US and UK.
- How much will Apple TV+ cost? The UK price is yet to be confirmed but at launch it will cost $4.99 a month (which includes family use of upto 6 people) in the US, a much lower price point than the anticipated $9.99 cost. It will also be offered free for a year when an iPad, iPhone or Apple TV are purchased.
1. See
The Apple TV Plus launch saw the world premiere of the See trailer, an exclusive Apple TV series starring Jason Momoa and Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard. Depicting a civilisation based hundreds of years in the future who have lost the ability to see, the show follows a new generation who are miraculously born with their sight intact. It looks set to be a gritty endeavor by Apple who worked closely with sight organisations to create this dark, futuristic world.
2. For All Mankind
The space race battle never looked so good courtesy of the trailer for this exclusive new Apple series. Depicting what would have happened had the global space race ceased to end, the show takes historic events and alters their course, dramatising an alternate timeline packed full of what-could-have-been moments. Created by Outlander mastermind Ronald D. Moore, the trailer alone makes for unmissable viewing.
3. The Morning Show
The Morning Show, is a drama set behind the scenes at, you guessed it, a morning TV news show. Starring Jennifer Aniston in her first series since Friends, the show also stars Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell as the journalistic drama unfolds.
4. Dickinson
Apple teased the highly anticipated Dickinson trailer in advance of the announcement - and it looks to be a laugh-a-minute. Starring Hailee Steinfeld as rebellious poet Emily Dickinson, the comedy series follows is a melting pot of modern day comedy and traditional attire.
5. The Elephant Queen
Taking the route of a documentary, the feature-length film The Elephant Queen focuses on the extinction of one of the world’s most majestic creatures. Narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this epic and beautiful piece of cinema first wowed audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival and is set to air in living rooms across the country imminently.
