By Dylan Josephson
A new streaming service, Apple TV+, launched recently on Nov. 1 and another, Disney + launched Nov. 12.
The two platforms are the newest additions to the streaming world, joining services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.
An Apple TV+ subscription costs about $5 per month, but when you buy Apple products like the iPhone, iPad or Macbook, you get one year’s subscription for free. Meanwhile, Disney+ subscriptions are set to cost a little bit more, setting customers back about $7 per month.
Both are cheap compared to streaming juggernaut Netflix’s monthly price of at least $9– and that is with the most basic package. A premium package could cost customers up to $16 per month.
Dan Rayburn, a financial analyst, predicts that Apple’s venture into streaming could attract as many as 10 million subscribers within its first year, which isn’t much compared to Netflix, which has almost 150 million subscribers.
Apple TV+ offers a wide selection of original shows, including “The Morning Show,” starring Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carrell, as well as “Dickinson,” starring Hailee Steinfeld.
Disney hopes that fans will subscribe to their new platform to get access to the many movies and shows that will be available, including “Avengers: Endgame” and other Marvel Cinematic Universe films; Inside Out and other animated Pixar features; and original shows like “The Mandalorian,” which takes place in the Star Wars universe.
Junior Liam Smith of Takoma Park, Maryland, already has Apple TV+ as part of the deal for a free one year subscription, and he said that while he thinks the streaming market is becoming saturated, the platform is entertaining.
“It’s a cool idea,” Smith said. “They clearly put a lot of effort into the programs they make.”
As for Disney +, Smith said that he won’t be buying a subscription because of how much streaming costs now.
“I don’t want to have to pay for five streaming services,” he said. “I’d rather pay for one like Netflix that has everything.”
Featured Photo Credit: Courtesy of Disney+’s Facebook page.
Dylan Josephson is a sophomore journalism major and can be reached at djosephs@terpmail.umd.edu.
