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Apple has introduced a new streaming movie and movie service for cable cutters who also own one of the many Apple devices. Called Channels, the service will live within Apple's new TV app, slated for the month of May, and will offer one-stop access to more than 20 different content providers from HBO, Showtime and CBS All Access to Shudder, Sundance Now and CollegeHumor Dropout. .
This should sound familiar. Amazon, through its Prime Video subscription, has been offering for years a similar platform for choosing your own channels, also called Channels.
So, if you've come to the conclusion that pre-defined cable TV offerings such as DirecTV Now and Sling TV do not interest you, you now have two popular options for creating your own custom channel collection. And while you think choosing Apple's and Amazon's à la carte options is as simple as knowing whether you have an Apple TV or Fire TV in your living room, the decision is far from being taken into account. .
All you need to know to know how Apple's new Channels service matches Amazon's.
Where can you broadcast?
Apple channels will be added to Apple's TV application when it is updated in May. The application is already available on smart TV consoles, iPhones and iPads from Apple TV. It will be available on Mac computers this fall. Apple also announces the release of the new version of its TV application on third-party smart TV companies, a first on Samsung TVs "this spring", "followed by" future "launches on Sony, Vizio, LG TVs and Smart TVs from Amazon and Roku.
As for Amazon's main video channels, you can watch almost anywhere. Fire TV media, Fire TV cubes, and Amazon all-in-one Fire TVs are supported, as expected, but so are many other smart TVs. third; decoders such as Apple TV, Android TV and Roku devices; Chromecast; and any iOS or Android mobile device or desktop web browser.
Is it free to start?
Before you can start buying channels with Apple or Amazon, you must have a subscription to their services. Access to the Apple TV application requires only a free Apple ID account, but you must have an Amazon Prime subscription to access Prime Video from Amazon and its selection of channels.
Amazon Prime costs $ 119 a year and offers other benefits such as free shipping within two days, same-day delivery of certain things, special offers and discounts, as well as access to services such as Prime Video and Prime Music.
What are the available channels and how many are there?
Apple's initial offer is smaller than Amazon's. Here is Apple's list – we have bolded channels that duplicate Amazon's offer.
- Acorn TV
- BritBox
- CBS All Access
- Cinemax
- CollegeHumor's Dropout
- Epix
- Eros now
- HBO
- Life Cinema Club
- Mubi
- MTV Hits
- Nickelodeon Hits
- noggin
- PBS Living
- Show time
- shudder
- Smithsonian Channel More
- Starz
- Sundance now
- tasted
- Faith and family
- Urban movie chain
Amazon, on the other hand, offers more than 100 channels. In addition to the bold strings above, Amazon also includes the following channels, which you will not find in the Apple version.
- Sports Illustrated TV
- QG Comic Con
- Vault History
- Comedy Central Stand-Up
- PBS Chief of Staff
- IndiePix Unlimited
- DocComTV
- Smithsonian Land
- Reelz
- Daily burn
- PBS Kids
- Cheddar
Regarding the price of each channel, Amazon offers lesser known deals for only $ 2.99 per month, with premium channels of HBO, Showtime and Cinemax ranking respectively at $ 14.99, $ 8.99 and 9 $ 99 a month.
Apple has not yet announced the pricing of its channels, but it might be wise to badume similar pricing, chain by channel, on both platforms.
Amazon's billing for primary channels is managed monthly using the same billing method that you use for your premium subscription. Apple will use Apple ID / Apple Pay to manage its channel billing in the same way.
What television do not you get with these channel offers?
Neither Amazon Prime channels nor Apple TV channels include Netflix and Hulu. The two biggest names in video streaming services are still excluded from third-party platforms.
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There is also not a lot of live TV among these on-demand services. Although CBS All Access broadcasts live feeds from your local CBS affiliate via Apple TV or Amazon Prime, most channels on both services are moving towards on-demand viewing.
What special features does Apple and Amazon offer?
The Apple TV app was launched more than two years ago as a center to discover and consume almost all of your TV feeds. In addition to the Channels feature scheduled for May, the Apple TV app can also connect to your cable or satellite subscriptions for live TV or your Netflix and Hulu accounts for more videos at the same time. request to indicate availability and redirect you to these applications to distribute.
Although Amazon's Fire TV platform incorporates the same type of TV guide feature, it is distinct from the Prime Video app accessible on multiple devices.
However, Amazon Prime offers in-app access to Amazon's original television series and movies, such as The Man at High Castle, Manchester by the Sea and the NFL Thursday Night Football. Apple plans to launch this fall another section of its Apple TV application, called Apple TV +, which offers programming similar to that of Apple on its platform.
What is the right for you?
With Amazon offering more channels than Apple TV at the beginning, your decision on which platform to choose might depend on the absolute need, say, for Hallmark Movies Now (only available on Prime Channel).
Of course, the annual fee needed to qualify for Premium membership required to receive Amazon channels could be a fiasco if you are one of the few remaining Americans not already subscribing to the service. ; Amazon.
MORE: Apple TV Plus: Why Netflix Should Have (and Should not) Be Afraid
The Apple TV application seems to become a powerful and ubiquitous software. And as the company is still likely to add more channels and content to the app in the future, there is no doubt that the choice of Amazon Prime channels compared to the channels Apple TV will become more and more interesting.
Credit: Apple
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