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Apple TV+ complete failure?

I like the idea of Apple producing or publishing only (with a few exceptions) it's own high quality content and create their own back catalogue in the process. Netflix offers too much for my taste and I'm constantly unsure what to start because I don't want to waste my time on something that is badly produced or doesn't go anywhere. I have the feeling that Netflix is racing to publish as many things as possible and hurting/lowering the quality in the process.

Remember when House of Cards was Netflix' headline show and it was really really high quality? That's what I feel with most ATV+ shows nowadays.
 
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Nütztjanix said:
When you scroll down in the TV app, you eventually get to the tv+ section. There you can scroll horizontally through all the original content. I do agree that it’s unnecessarily complicated, though.
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I've been there once or twice. It's just a bit confusing, especially with my own digital downloads that I got with DVD or Blu-Ray packages, plus Movies Anywhere.

I went down to the Apple TV+ channel and it became apparent what was exclusive, but they don't seem to want you to know that right away. Perhaps, when they have 30-40 titles, it will be in a more prominent place.

In a lot of ways, the TV application reminds me of the $5.00 DVD bins at stores. You could be there for 30 minutes and not find anything you want to watch. I'd rather it be more like the DirecTV Guide.
 
Netflix is falling into the same trap Sega did

gdwnd_01.jpg


Quantity over quality. Google's Syndrome. too many cooks in the kitchen, etc. Making shows faster than they can keep up with them and abandoning them shortly after.
 
I just got a new iPad the other week and I've activated my one year free ATv+ and I have to say that the shows I've seen so far are quite good in my opinion.
 
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infelix said:
I just got a new iPad the other week and I've activated my one year free ATv+ and I have to say that the shows I've seen so far are quite good in my opinion.
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Agreed. I love many of the shows and spend more time on TV+ than Netflix. Just wish they would put out more programming as the new releases aren’t coming quickly enough.
 
mazz0 said:
Not For All Mankind?!
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For All Mankind was wicked good! Slow paced for sure, and disclaimer - I‘m seriously obsessed with space, but it blended history with fiction really well. I’m stoked for season 2 and beyond! Edit: Apple has commuted to multiple seasons and the producers have mapped out upward of 6 seasons worth of ideas.
 
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If there is a Season 2. I'm still waiting for Orville to get season 3. I think For All Mankind was intended to end when it did sadly. Even the Sopranos ended on a cliffhanger.

Part of me believes that For All Mankind was a mini-series akin to Horatio Hornblower. Hence it's slower pace. I don't think Apple intended for folks like myself to watch them all en masse.
 
I wasn't sure how to actually 'take' that post-credit scene. Just wish I knew when Season 2 comes out if it does. I still have my doubts. They said The Orville would get a season 3 but I've waited over a year already. Firefly fans were also in the same boat.

If they do make Season 2, I'll be sure not to sit through them all in one day again. I hate that every season is only 10 episodes.
 
nickdalzell1 said:
I wasn't sure how to actually 'take' that post-credit scene. Just wish I knew when Season 2 comes out if it does. I still have my doubts. They said The Orville would get a season 3 but I've waited over a year already. Firefly fans were also in the same boat.
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Nah. Firefly was cancelled before all episodes had even aired. For All Mankind had already started filming for season 2. The production was put on hold due to the pandemic though, so it will be late, but there is no doubt that it will come.
 
While I don’t know if you can call it a failure yet (until we see what happens when everyone comes off of the free year) it certainly is languishing.

www.lightreading.com

Apple TV+ usage still in the doldrums - study | Light Reading

At just 7%, usage of Apple's SVoD service still lags far behind its rivals, and could force the company to reconsider its strategy before facing a possible mass exodus as subs start to roll off free trials.
www.lightreading.com www.lightreading.com
 
robjulo said:
While I don’t know if you can call it a failure yet (until we see what happens when everyone comes off of the free year) it certainly is languishing.

www.lightreading.com

Apple TV+ usage still in the doldrums - study | Light Reading

At just 7%, usage of Apple's SVoD service still lags far behind its rivals, and could force the company to reconsider its strategy before facing a possible mass exodus as subs start to roll off free trials.
www.lightreading.com www.lightreading.com
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Meh. It's a slow roll. It doesn't need to be a huge hit. Apple can play with it as long as they want.
 
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robjulo said:
While I don’t know if you can call it a failure yet (until we see what happens when everyone comes off of the free year) it certainly is languishing.
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Well, it's not that surprising given the small amount of content. And the fact that Hollywood's output is drastically reduced due to the pandemic doesn't help either. That said, I have enjoyed what I have watched so far (just started watching "Defending Jacob", which seems to be on par with HBO's prestige TV). I certainly hope that they stick with their quality-over-quantity strategy.
 
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Apple seems to be playing the long game with Apple TV+. As with most of their products, it takes a couple of years to really get good. We shall see how things turn out by 2022.
 
How does the TV app work if you’re not a “channel”? Both HBOMax and Peacock TV are in the TV app but are not a “channel”. Neither of those services are on Roku or Amazon yet. I’m curious how they got integrated with TV app but can’t seem to reach deals with Roku or Amazon. I would imagine most smart TVs are are running one of those two platforms. I’m assuming Apple is getting nothing from AT&T or Comcast but somehow they still allowed this content to be part of the TV app (but not the TV app that’s available on Roku)?
 
Rogifan said:
How does the TV app work if you’re not a “channel”? Both HBOMax and Peacock TV are in the TV app but are not a “channel”. Neither of those services are on Roku or Amazon yet. I’m curious how they got integrated with TV app but can’t seem to reach deals with Roku or Amazon.
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The TV app has channels very similar to Amazon (not sure about Roku), and HBO used to be available as a channel before HBO Max came out. Now it's no longer offered, presumably because HBO wants people to use their app. But the TV app can also be "connected" to external apps. If you select content in the TV app that is offered by another app, the ATV automatically launches that app to play the content. Content from the external apps is also integrated with the TV app's "Watch Now" list, so it's still pretty useful.

So it's a loser type of integration that allows streaming services to control the user data and the presentation in their own apps, while still allowing the user to browse content and manage a watch list in a single place.

BTW, even content from apps that cannot be connected to the TV app, like e.g. Netflix, can be browsed in the TV app.
I would imagine most smart TVs are are running one of those two platforms. I’m assuming Apple is getting nothing from AT&T or Comcast but somehow they still allowed this content to be part of the TV app (but not the TV app that’s available on Roku)?
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It is advantageous for Apple, because they get to keep users in their own portal most of the time. I assume external apps can pay Apple to prominently promote their content, and Apple can also promote its own Apple TV+ content alongside the more well known services. But the services still get to keep their own independent apps and identity rather than being aggregated and mixed with other content in channels. Seems like a reasonable compromise.
 
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Rigby said:
The TV app has channels very similar to Amazon (not sure about Roku), and HBO used to be available as a channel before HBO Max came out. Now it's no longer offered, presumably because HBO wants people to use their app. But the TV app can also be "connected" to external apps. If you select content in the TV app that is offered by another app, the ATV automatically launches that app to play the content. Content from the external apps is also integrated with the TV app's "Watch Now" list, so it's still pretty useful.

So it's a loser type of integration that allows streaming services to control the user data and the presentation in their own apps, while still allowing the user to browse content and manage a watch list in a single place.

BTW, even content from apps that cannot be connected to the TV app, like e.g. Netflix, can be browsed in the TV app.
It is advantageous for Apple, because they get to keep users in their own portal most of the time. I assume external apps can pay Apple to prominently promote their content, and Apple can also promote its own Apple TV+ content alongside the more well known services. But the services still get to keep their own independent apps and identity rather than being aggregated and mixed with other content in channels. Seems like a reasonable compromise.
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I’m curious then what Roku is asking for that Apple isn’t. Of course Apple doesn’t need the TV app to be profitable so they can make concessions to get services into the TV app.
 
Roku "channels" are just web-apps designed to run on a Roku device. That's all it is. A grid of web-apps posing as TV channel cards. Works much like the Apple TV layout, though.
 
nickdalzell1 said:
Roku "channels" are just web-apps designed to run on a Roku device. That's all it is. A grid of web-apps posing as TV channel cards. Works much like the Apple TV layout, though.
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My understanding is that "The Roku Channel" is a special channel where you can add "premium subscriptions" offered by Roku, including things like HBO and Showtime. This sounds very similar to Apple's channel subscriptions in the TV app.

www.roku.com

The Roku Channel | What's On | Roku

The Roku Channel is your home for free and premium TV, anywhere you go. Stream hundreds of hit movies, popular shows, 24/7 live news, and more for free. Easily add and manage Premium Subscriptions like Showtime, Starz, and Epix with one login, one bill, and one place to stream them all.
www.roku.com
 
There are so many streaming services available today that the competition is great. Not like a few years ago when there was cable tv and Netflix and Prime. You have to give people a reason to stay subscribed and as of yet I don't see that from Apple+. Sure subscribe for a month or so but then - maybe a movie every month just doesn't seem to me to give a reason to subscribe for long time.
Maybe there is one that I don't know about but I think you also need a service guide where in one place it shows all shows across all services you subscribe to and pressing on a item it goes to the service and selects for you (similar to cable guides with HBO type services)
 
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