AppleInsider Staff
Millions of users are watching Apple TV+ content in the week since the video streaming service debuted, according to a report on Thursday, though it is unclear how many are paying subscribers.
Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, Variety reports Apple TV+ has drawn "millions" of users who on average spend more than an hour on the service.
How many are paying for the service remains unknown. A large chunk of users are likely taking advantage of Apple's current trial offers, which includes a seven-day free sample for all comers. Customers who purchased an iPhone, iPad, Mac or iPod touch after Sept. 10, 2019, have the option of activating a year of free Apple TV+ service on their new device.
The report notes insiders "were impressed" by activity on the Apple TV+ platform, which grew on the order of triple digits over this past weekend. Further, early statistics show viewer engagement is high, with most viewers of the service's four core series — "Dickinson," "For All Mankind," "The Morning Show" and "See" — watching at least two episodes. Some went on to watch all three episodes of a given series.
Apple is windowing access to most original shows, offering only three episodes each of "For All Mankind," "The Morning Show" and "See" at launch. "Dickinson," the lone outlier, saw its entire first season released on day one.
Coming off the strong debut, Apple is renewing the four marquee shows for second seasons, Variety says, echoing earlier reports from other publications including Deadline. Weeks before Apple TV+ launched on Nov. 1, industry insiders confirmed sophomore seasons of "The Morning Show," Dickinson," "For All Mankind," "Little America" and "Home Before Dark." Today's report is the first to deliver word of a second season for Jason Momoa vehicle "See."
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
53 Comments
I’d definitely recommend a person who buys a new iPhone or iPad to sign up for the free trial period of one year, however the Apple TV app itself is not very good. This is especially true for anyone who likes to download their movies or shows to watch later with no Internet connection. The app absolutely sucks for this use case.
I agree that the app itself is not good and needs to be reworked.
Everything is all bundled together and it's extremely messy.
You have no idea what belongs to what.
I subscribe to various streaming services and I also have cable and they're all tied into the Apple TV account.
When I click on a movie or series in the app, I don't want to see that I have to pay $3.99 to rent it or whatever. Why are they even showing that to me?
I should be glad and happy when using an app, not frustrated.
I am only interested in watching things that I already subscribe and pay for. I don't need or want suggestions or to be shown anything that I do not currently have access to.
I've only watched one series so far from Apple, but I am looking forward to watching more, possibly this weekend. The streaming quality of the content is great. Opinions on the content itself will of course vary, depending on who's watching, but if you ask me, Apple TV+ is off to a great start.
I have hope that Apple will rework the app, hopefully sooner, rather than later.
The "Free for a year" is the only reason i signed up.
I have yet to watch any of the offerings, however.
I'm curious to know how many people have paid to sign up for this service. I wouldn't have had it not come with my new iPhone. That isn't to say that I'm not interested in any of the shows, but I'd probably wait for multiple shows with entire seasons to be launched, along with data on shows that are excellent, before I signed up to binge watch.
Does anyone know how long after purchasing a new device you have to use the free trial? I got an iPhone 11 a few weeks ago, but I want to wait until there’s more content or even full seasons before activating.
and does anyone know if you can stack up free trials? I’m keeping my eye on Black Friday deals for an iPad and I’m curious if I could use the free trial from the iPhone and iPad and basically get 2 years free