The Complete New Zealand Guide to Apple TV+
We explain what you need to know about the Apple streaming service, how much it costs and how it compares to other providers
Updated 21 October 2021
Apple TV+ launched in New Zealand at the end of 2019 exclusively offering original productions (TV series and films). In this guide we cover what’s available to watch, the costs and plans available and the pros and cons of this platform as well as the main benefits of having a subscription to Apple TV+.
We cover:
Do you have an experience with Apple TV+, or tips you'd like to share? Contact our research team right now with your comments.
We cover:
- What is Apple TV+
- How much does Apple TV+ cost?
- Evaluating AppleTV+ - Pros and Cons
- Conclusion: Is Apple TV+ good value for money?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have an experience with Apple TV+, or tips you'd like to share? Contact our research team right now with your comments.
What is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is an on-demand streaming service that launched globally in November 2019. Up until now the focus has been exclusively on original content, so the catalogue is significantly smaller than that of any of its competitors (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+). Apple TV+ offers a selection of original documentaries, films, drama and comedy series as well as sci-fi and kids’ entertainment.
Table 1: Streaming Services and Monthly Cost Comparison
Source: Data correct at 21 October 2021 per JustWatch.com
It has been announced that Apple will increase their catalogue by purchasing content from other companies to make their offering more competitive, so we expect to see more films and TV shows on the platform in the near future.
Apple TV+ can be shared by up to 6 family members for free, by setting up “Family Sharing”.
Note: The “Family Organizer” (an adult in the family) needs to set up Family Sharing on an apple device (iPhone / iPad / iMac) and each member must also accept the invitation to join the group on an apple device. You can find information on how to set up Family Sharing here. This functionality is not currently available on PC or Android devices.
Apple TV+ can be shared by up to 6 family members for free, by setting up “Family Sharing”.
Note: The “Family Organizer” (an adult in the family) needs to set up Family Sharing on an apple device (iPhone / iPad / iMac) and each member must also accept the invitation to join the group on an apple device. You can find information on how to set up Family Sharing here. This functionality is not currently available on PC or Android devices.
How much does Apple TV+ cost?
Apple TV+ costs NZ$8.99 per month on its own, but it is also included in the Apple One bundle (which includes Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+ and iCloud storage), this costs NZ$23.95 per month on the individual plan or NZ$31.95 per month on the family plan.
Note: You can only sign up to AppleOne through and apple device, this is not available through PC or android devices.
Note: You can only sign up to AppleOne through and apple device, this is not available through PC or android devices.
Additional free trials and special offers:
Apple also provides a free trial of Apple TV+ for 3 months when purchasing certain products and registering them within a specified time limit. Full details can be found here.
At the time of writing this guide, Apple provides free access to Apple TV+ for subscribers of the Apple Music Student Plan. The price is NZ $7.49 per month, with a 3 month trial period. This plan provides access to both Apple Music and Apple TV+. Please note this offer might be the discontinued at any time and does not extend to a Family Sharing group.
You can browse the content of Apple TV+ here
At the time of writing this guide, Apple provides free access to Apple TV+ for subscribers of the Apple Music Student Plan. The price is NZ $7.49 per month, with a 3 month trial period. This plan provides access to both Apple Music and Apple TV+. Please note this offer might be the discontinued at any time and does not extend to a Family Sharing group.
You can browse the content of Apple TV+ here
What’s included in the price?
- Content: Award-winning TV shows and films. As mentioned before, the focus so far has been on quality rather than quantity but there’s still enough to keep you entertained. Their content spans many genres so you will find at least a couple of options of whatever type of show or film you’re looking for.
- The AppleID with which you subscribe to Apple TV+ contains only one profile, but it’s possible to share your subscription with up to 5 other people that you can set up on a Family Sharing group.
What movies and series are available?
You can browse the content of Apple TV+ here, but we present what we consider to be the highlights per genre below.
Comedy
TV: Ted Lasso, Mr. Corman, Schmigadoon!, Dickinson , Trying
Films: On the Rocks
Drama
TV: The Morning Show, Defending Jacob, Little Voice
Films: CODA, The Banker, Palmer, Hala,
Thrillers / Action
TV:, Home Before Dark, Losing Alice, Truth be told, The Mosquito Coast
Films: Greyhound, Cherry
Sci Fi / Supernatural
TV: Foundation, Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story, For All Mankind, Servant, See
Family:
TV: Stillwater, Helpsters, The Snoopy Show,
Films: Wolfwalkers,
Other
Documentary: Fireball, Dads, Boys State, Fathom
Non fiction series: The Problem with Jon Stewart, Dear…,The Oprah conversation
Theatre: Come From Away
Music: Billie Eilish The world’s a bit blurry, Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to you, Beastie Boys Story, 197
Comedy
TV: Ted Lasso, Mr. Corman, Schmigadoon!, Dickinson , Trying
Films: On the Rocks
Drama
TV: The Morning Show, Defending Jacob, Little Voice
Films: CODA, The Banker, Palmer, Hala,
Thrillers / Action
TV:, Home Before Dark, Losing Alice, Truth be told, The Mosquito Coast
Films: Greyhound, Cherry
Sci Fi / Supernatural
TV: Foundation, Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story, For All Mankind, Servant, See
Family:
TV: Stillwater, Helpsters, The Snoopy Show,
Films: Wolfwalkers,
Other
Documentary: Fireball, Dads, Boys State, Fathom
Non fiction series: The Problem with Jon Stewart, Dear…,The Oprah conversation
Theatre: Come From Away
Music: Billie Eilish The world’s a bit blurry, Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to you, Beastie Boys Story, 197
What do you need to be able to stream Apple TV+?
To watch content, you’ll need:
Watching on Android / Windows: Access https://tv.apple.com/nz/ on your browser and watch on your device. If you want to watch on your TV, you’ll need to connect to it with a cable or cast your browser screen (but the playback is slow and sound is slightly delayed).
Watching on your smart tv or set top box.It is also possible to install appletv+ directly on your (Samsung, LG or Sony) Smart TV or set top box. Other devices that are supported include Roku, FireTV, Playstation and Xbox.
- Fibre or broadband, which a speed of at least 3 Mbps
- Sufficient data – an unlimited data plan is always best if streaming, but otherwise, 30 GB/month is a good starting point for average use.
- An internet-enabled device – As you might expect, the experience is better if you have an apple device, as there is an app for iPhone / iPad but there is no app for android or Windows.
Watching on Android / Windows: Access https://tv.apple.com/nz/ on your browser and watch on your device. If you want to watch on your TV, you’ll need to connect to it with a cable or cast your browser screen (but the playback is slow and sound is slightly delayed).
Watching on your smart tv or set top box.It is also possible to install appletv+ directly on your (Samsung, LG or Sony) Smart TV or set top box. Other devices that are supported include Roku, FireTV, Playstation and Xbox.
Evaluating AppleTV+ - Pros and Cons
What we like:
What we don’t like:
- Highest definition possible available as default. (Image in 4K / Dolby Vision, Sound in Dolby ATMOS)
- Able to share your account with 5 others through Family Sharing
- Free extended trial when you buy certain apple devices (full details in section how much does apple tv+ cost?)
What we don’t like:
- Very basic functionality:
- No option to search for content, you have to scroll through the categories apple has defined (which are also pretty basic: Latest Releases, Comedy Series, Drama Series, Feature Films, Non-fiction Series, Family Fun)
- No watchlist available to shortlist what you want to watch later
- No Resume-watching list for items you haven’t finished watching
- Parental controls are limited and only apply to the content you watch on AppleTV on the web, not in other devices
- Option to download content only available on the apple tv app (for apple devices)
- New episodes for most TV series arrive weekly, they are not available all at once like with Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Conclusion: Is Apple TV+ good value for money?
- Because the only TV series and films available to watch at the moment are Apple original productions, the selection is extremely limited compared to other providers. However, the shows and films they offer have been getting a lot of awards and attention recently and tend to be high quality.
- The cost is almost the same as that of Amazon Prime Video and the catalogue is considerably smaller, but if you want to watch Apple shows like Ted Lasso, or The Morning Show, this is the only place you can find them.
Apple TV+ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay for Apple TV+ monthly?
Yes – Apple TV+ is NZ$8.99 per month and you can cancel any time.
How does Apple TV+ compare to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+?
The table below shows that Apple TV+ offers the least choice of content having a similar cost to Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. However, potential subscribers must keep in mind that the Apple TV+ offers content that is exclusive to this platfrom and not available in any other streaming service.
Plan |
|||
Provides access to |
Apple TV+ |
Apple Music Apple TV+ Apple Arcade iCloud 50 GB |
Apple Music Apple TV+ Apple Arcade iCloud 200 GB (all to share with up to 5 additional people) |
Price |
Value |
NZ $23.95 |
NZ $31.95 |
Free trial |
7 days |
1 month |
1 month |
Source: Data correct as at 6 September 2021 per JustWatch.com
Further questions?
Apple has prepared and FAQ about their streaming service, you can find it here.
Do you have an experience with Apple TV+, or tips you'd like to share? Contact our research team right now with your comments.
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