Apple TV Gains New National Geographic Channel

[snorkelman]

I have one, but it is solely used to stream existing iTunes content. Given that Google and Amazon prices for streamed content are comparable to (and often cheaper than) the iTunes equivalent, the Amazon Fire Stick and Google Chromecast are much better offerings as far as I'm concerned.

Trouble with the AppleTv is for a lot of folks in Europe its in danger of going from secondary device to complement their Cable/Satellite set top box, to a tertiary device to complement their Fire TV/ generic Android box (which in itself is the secondary device to the set top box).

I personally still put up with it for its (IMO) superior netflix interface and ability to airplay to it from beamer, running it alongside a FireTv for pretty much everything else

Most folks I suspect just wont see a need for that third level of hardware attached to their TV and another remote to deal with. Particularly when a lot of TVs tend to have two HDMI inputs that additional devices are competing for rather than 3.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I read comments that people love their Apple TV, can't wait for the update. What is it that they expecting that is different from my set up.

See https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/wwdc-2015-4th-generation-atv-prediction-thread.1878636/ Lots of wishes there (probably too many) but they should give you a sense of what others want in a new box. If none of that interests you, that's fine; what Apple hopes is to put enough new in anything new to motivate a good chunk of a crowd to buy.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Very true. When you consider the EU, that has a population of over 500 million (compared to the 321 million in the US), it shows great insularity on Apple's part to solely do deals that apply within the USA.

The US is one country though while the EU is made up of 28 countries and each country is a seperate distribution contract. One contract to reach 321 million people or 28 contracts to reach 500 million people. Besides being based in the US, this is big reason why Apple, Amazon, HBO, Netflix, Hulu, etc., start their media services in the US.

 

[Robin4]

Thanks. I'm still interested but I think I'll wait until they come up with the subscription service.

Your help is appreciated.

 

[Kar98]

> requires authentication with a cable TV provider.

*goes and hides channel*

 

[Kar98]

I don't have Apple TV (I live in the UK).

Does the device have a user interface schedule, that amalgamates what channels you have into a single programme schedule?
Or is everything on-demand, so such a schedule would be difficult, meaning you have to open each channel individually to see what programmes are available?

No scheduling whatsoever. The "channels" are like apps on your phone, you have to go into the app and then you can browse what's on there.

 

[ksuyen]

No matter if Apple offers a subscription service or not you will have to pay for the content. Their rumored 25 channels for $40 is more of the same. FIOS now offers smaller grouping of channels (a start). My biggest problem is all of the registering and logging in on all of my devices. With HBO Now via iTunes there is one login and I just restore my subscription. Same for the Feeln Channel. We really need to single sign-on for these as well. Like login to FIOS once and link to my iTunes Account. But my guess is Apple does not want to make this too easy or people would not switch to their bundles.

No, that's not true. The upcoming Apple Subscription of $40 covers the whole 25 channels subscription fees. In other words, instead of paying $10/month for this channel, another $10/month for that channel, you only pay $40 dollars a year for all 25 channels.

 

[BillyTrimble]

Apple TV is of less use to me with each and every app they add that requires a cable subscription.

Why? Do they take away a channel you watch when they add one you don't want? If not, then your statement makes absolutely NO sense?

 

[BillyTrimble]

Dear Apple,
I despise Authentication - it's a waste of my time.
Just another channel to hide.
It seems the only channels I watch are Red Bull, Netflix, and the occasional rental.

Sorry, but that is one of the most ridiculous and absurd statements I've ever read. "A waste of your time"??? You mean the minute it takes to authenticate? You don't have a minute to spare. You must be the most important and busy person in the whole wide world.

Please, please give me a way to ignore the people on this forum who have nothing useful to say.

 

[BillyTrimble]

Do people actually watch this channel?

To this date, I only have Netflix showing on my ATV2. Everything else they keep adding gets hidden including HBO.

Ummm. Yes they do. I do. Many others do. While not all programming is compelling, many are very worthwhile. Have you ever even looked at the contents of this channel? How can you make such a statement that appears to have no basis in real experience.

 

[BillyTrimble]

National Geographic channel sucks. As with other, "educational" channels like Discovery and History, insightful documentaries have long since been replaced with reality shows, "stories from the bible", "ghost hunters", "alien encounters", etc. As someone else already commented, "meh, another channel to hide on my Apple TV."

If you want the sort of programming that people expected from National Geographic, just turn to PBS' Nightline and NOVA.

Absurd statement, completely without credibility. Most of the programming is NOT what you are referencing. How do people come up with these completely wrong assertions with no basis in fact. Do people intentionally lie?

 

[BillyTrimble]

Many of "those people complaining" are ones getting stuck in infinite loops on the activation page, even though they're properly following directions and it says their provider is supported. That certainly is worth complaining about.

I agree that would be a legitimate complain. But most of the "complaints" aren't that. Instead let's look at what Lucky Bubba said,
"
Dear Apple,
I despise Authentication - it's a waste of my time.
Just another channel to hide.
It seems the only channels I watch are Red Bull, Netflix, and the occasional rental."

This is the downside of the Internet.

 

[attila]

I don't want channels! I want content! It doesn't matter to be if HBO or NBC has once series or another, I just want to filter my TV programs by category, like news or sports, and then stream it!

 

[ZacUSNYR]

Am I the only one who notices how small of a cable authentication list this channel has? I have time Warner and directv and neither are on the list.

 

[chrfr]

Am I the only one who notices how small of a cable authentication list this channel has? I have time Warner and directv and neither are on the list.

It's entirely unintuitive, but you scroll down in that list with all the provider icons.

 

[GreginNJ]

Do people actually watch this channel?

To this date, I only have Netflix showing on my ATV2. Everything else they keep adding gets hidden including HBO.

Yes, people watch this channel...

 

[GreginNJ]

What is your problem? I don't routinely check for new channels, so this announcement is welcome. If you don't like, why did you go into the thread? And I'd certainly rather read a new announcement than the overwhelming useless and childish posts that follows. Sheesh. Just what is your problem? Is there anything that people won't moan and groan about in these forums? Really annoys me.

Please tell me there is an ignore feature on this forum. I would enjoy reading these thread so much more if I could ignore about 1/2 of the posters.

Couldn't agree more. It would be great if there was a thumbs-down button, too.

I can't for the life of me see why more channels isn't a good thing even if you don't watch that channel. I read here or in another forum where someone only uses the Netflix and HBO app. I'm wondering what's the use in having an ATV for just two channels. With a better UI I'd like to see Apple TV have as many channels as Roku.

 

[GreginNJ]

Who do you suggest pay to create the content then?

It's supposed to be created by magic nowadays.

 

[GreginNJ]

I just watched it and it's very good. Great HD quality. Many of the shows I enjoy are now on demand. That's fabulous. It amazes me how some here are berating the channel and they've never even seen how it functions on Apple TV. Are these people so cynical about the world that they immediately hate everything?

In a word: YES.

 

[GreginNJ]

No. I retain my previous statement. It isn't absurd if they cater to the U.S. "first and foremost," but it would be absurd to only do so. Point is, they must start somewhere, and everyone and their dog chimes in that they "deserve" to have Apple cater to them, no matter where they are because Apple has made its products available to them.

Just because I can buy ramen from Japan on the Internet, I don't demand they make a biscuits and gravy flavor because I'm from the South.

EDIT: Or better yet, I play the "self-entitled, pseudo-chivalrous" card and say: If the ramen company wants to succeed, they really ought to cater to my needs and whims.

I'd definitely buy some biscuits and gravy flavored ramen noodles. Sounds yummy.

 

[gweedo]

Another channel to hide

Agree. I would actually use some of these channels... but after the 3rd one asking me to go through some kind of login/sign-up process I said to hell with it. Apple needs to realize these fragmented & semi-independent channel "apps" just aren't working. Terrible user experience, and I just hide them all now and pretty much only use netflix. (Same story for the similar ios apps of course... i tried them, hated them, and deleted them)

 

[BillyTrimble]

Agree. I would actually use some of these channels... but after the 3rd one asking me to go through some kind of login/sign-up process I said to hell with it. Apple needs to realize these fragmented & semi-independent channel "apps" just aren't working. Terrible user experience, and I just hide them all now and pretty much only use netflix. (Same story for the similar ios apps of course... i tried them, hated them, and deleted them)

Wow. Having to sign in for three different apps is that much of a burden??? You must lead an incredibly busy and hassled life to feel put upon to sign in three times, and then not again.

What do you mean "not working". They work fine. I've been watching a bunch of programs on this channel. They work just fine. Very good HD quality. I can't even imagine what would they have to do in order to work for you?

 

[ZacUSNYR]

It's entirely unintuitive, but you scroll down in that list with all the provider icons.

Wonder if my iPad just didn't like it - the other channels have big arrows you click heh

I'll check it out on my Macbook later.

 

[rctlr]

I think the UK Government will have something to say about having BBC iPlayer on AppleTV.
They have said today that they are looking into making content on iPlayer only available for people with UK TV Licences.
With the current government cuts focusing on the BBC, I'm not surprised they have not done it sooner.

 

[ctdonath]

I think the UK Government will have something to say about having BBC iPlayer on AppleTV. ... only available for people with UK TV Licences.

What if Apple just straight-up paid the license for every AppleTV in UK? (Suitable hard bargain driven to mutual satisfaction, of course.) How much is it per TV?