Apple unveiled the first details of its new, long-awaited TV streaming service Monday during a press conference from the Steve Jobs Theater at the Apple campus in Cupertino, California.
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, announced that the new streaming subscription service will be called Apple TV+. Starting this fall, Apple TV+ will be available on the new Apple TV app, which is coming to Mac, Smart TVs (including Samsung, Vizio, LG and Sony), Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. This will be an ad-free service, with all of the original content available for download to watch offline. While no mention of cost was announced at the conference, Apple said that pricing information will be revealed later this fall.
Director Steven Spielberg took the stage to talk about his upcoming new series with Apple TV+, titled Amazing Stories. “My first encounter with science fiction came from an anthology magazine called Amazing Stories,” Spielberg told the audience, recalling that his father used to read him stories from the magazine when he was five years old. The acclaimed director went on to say that he’s thrilled to be working with the “visionary and inventive” people at Apple. No release date for this series has been announced.
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\r\nApple is investing heavily in its programming slate in an effort to compete with Netflix and Amazon with Apple TV+, so here\u0027s a list of all the previous and upcoming TV shows in development at the tech giant. Most of them don\u0027t have premiere dates (or even titles, in some cases), but we\u0027ll update as we learn more.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/26\/appletv-slideshow-1553625407179.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/26\/appletv-slideshow-1553625407179_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”01″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Defending Jacob \r\n
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\r\nChris Evans will headline Defending Jacob, based on the William Landay novel about a father whose teenage son is accused of murder. Downton Abbey\u0027s Michelle Dockery and It\u0027s Jaeden Martell also star.”,”height”:1280,”width”:1920,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/chris-evans-1553541100624.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/chris-evans-1553541100624_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”02″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Damien Chazelle Series \r\n
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\r\nOscar-winner Damien Chazelle received a straight-to-series order for an unnamed one-hour drama. Details are scarce on Chazelle\u0027s mystery project for Apple, but the La La Land director has said that he will direct and write every single episode. He will reunite with his producing partners Jordan Horowitz (Counterpart) and Fred Berger (La La Land). No casting or release date has been announced. “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-chazelle–1534193449332.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-chazelle–1534193449332_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”03″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Untitled Brie Larson CIA Series \r\n
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\r\nAccording to Variety, Captain Marvel star Brie Larson has a series in the works at Apple based on the real-life experiences of undercover CIA operative Amaryllis Fox. No word yet on a release date for the show.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/brie-larson-1553539803476.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/brie-larson-1553539803476_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”04″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Oprah \r\n
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\r\nTelevision host and Oscar-nominated actress (The Color Purple) Oprah Winfrey has signed a multi-year development deal with Apple, but the specifics surrounding the announcement remain a mystery. Per the terms of the deal, Winfrey will still work on projects for OWN, which is the network she founded back in 2011. Winfrey has produced a number of live-action dramas, talk shows, and docu-series for OWN, so it\u0027s safe to say that she will probably do the same for Apple. A brief press release from Apple in June 2018 stated: \u0022Together, Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world.\u0022″,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-oprah-1534193449350.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-oprah-1534193449350_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”05″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Amazing Stories \r\n
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\r\nBased on the \u002780s Steven Spielberg show of the same name, Amazing Stories is a fantasy\/sci-fi anthology series which has been given a 10-episode order by Apple. Bryan Fuller was originally attached as showrunner but exited due to creative differences, with Once Upon a Time showrunners Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis now on board instead. Spielberg will once again executive produce.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-amazing-1534193449316.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-amazing-1534193449316_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”06″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Untitled Simon Kinberg and David Weil Series \r\n
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\r\nX-Men producer Simon Kinberg and David Weil (The Hunt) are teaming up to write and produce an untitled sci-fi series for Apple. Little is known about the project, but Deadline reports that it is a \u0022large-budget, ambitious, character-driven genre show that will go into production this summer.\u0022″,”height”:795,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/kinberg-1553541100589.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/kinberg-1553541100589_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”07″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Home \r\n
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\r\nApple has ordered 10 episodes of this docuseries from executive producers Matt Tyrnauer and Corey Reese, which will reportedly \u201coffer viewers a never-before-seen look inside the world\u2019s most extraordinary homes\u201d and the interesting minds that built them. “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-home-1534193449337.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-home-1534193449337_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”08″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Time Bandits \r\n
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\r\nMonty Python and the Holy Grail director Terry Gilliam is teaming up with Apple to bring another of his beloved movies to television. Time Bandits, released in the early \u002780s, tells the story of a young boy named Kevin, who journeys through time and space with a group of dwarves. Gillam will act as an executive producer on the project, but in a non-writing capacity. Thor: Ragnarok\u0027s Taika Waititi will co-write and direct the pilot for a potential series.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-timebandits-1534193449363.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-timebandits-1534193449363_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:”09″,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Shantaram \r\n
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\r\nAn adaptation of the Gregory David Roberts novel which has spent years in development hell as a film project, the story follows Lin, who manages to escape an Australian maximum security prison and goes on the run in the underworld of Bombay, India. American Hustle writer Eric Warren Singer will pen the series and executive produce.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-shantaram-1534193449359.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-shantaram-1534193449359_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:10,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”My Glory Was I Had Such Friends \r\n
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\r\nAlias alums J.J. Abrams and Jennifer Garner will reteamfor this limited series, which is based on a memoir by Amy Silverstein about a woman facing heart transplant surgery and the friends who support her through the ordeal.”,”height”:855,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/garner-abrams-1553541100629.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/25\/garner-abrams-1553541100629_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:11,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”You Think It, I\u0027ll Say It \r\n
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\r\nThis half-hour comedy based on Curtis Sittenfeld\u2019s collection of short stories was originally set to star Kristen Wiig, who had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with Wonder Woman 1984. The series is reportedly still moving forward with 30 Rock alum Colleen McGuinness serving as showrunner and executive producer.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-youthink-1534193449365.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-youthink-1534193449365_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:12,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Little Voice \r\n
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\r\nStar Wars: The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams is joining forces with the creative team behind the Tony-award winning musical Waitress to bring a new half-hour romantic dramedy, titled Little Voice, to life. Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson (Waitress) will be executive producers, with Bareilles writing the original music, and Nelson acting as showrunner. The series received a 10-episode order from Apple, but no release date or casting news has been announced.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-littlevoices–1534193449343.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-littlevoices–1534193449343_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:13,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Swagger \r\n
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\r\nTwo-time NBA champion Kevin Durant is getting into the live-action drama series game with Swagger. Inspired by events from Durant\u0027s childhood, the story will center on young basketball players as they compete in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in Washington, D.C. AAU basketball can be seen all over the country and is a highly competitive league for aspiring athletes to showcase their talents on a national level. Durant will team-up with Friday Night Lights producer Brian Grazer. Durant is hoping that he and Grazer will be able to create a series equally as memorable as that high school football drama. Swagger will be written and directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood (Notorious). No release date has been announced.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-kevindurant–1534193449341.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-kevindurant–1534193449341_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:14,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”M. Night Shyamalan Untitled Series \r\n
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\r\nIn the TV department, director M. Night Shyamalan was last seen executive-producing Wayward Pines, a suspenseful sci-fi series that lasted two seasons on Fox. This time around, the director is teaming up with Apple and 24: Live Another Day writer Tony Basgallop for an unnamed psychological thriller series, starring Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) and Nell Tiger Free (Game of Thrones). While no official synopsis has been revealed, Deadline reports that the series \u0022follows parents Dorothy and Sean Turner, who have hired young nanny Leanne to help care for their newborn child. Ambrose will play the mother, Dorothy Turner. Free will portray the nanny, Leanne Grayson.\u0022″,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-shyamalan-1534193449360.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-shyamalan-1534193449360_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:15,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Calls \r\n
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\r\nApple is developing an English-language version of the French series Calls. According to Variety, Calls is described as a show that \u0022allows audiences to experience short stories through real-life audio sources and minimal visuals.\u0022 Apple\u0027s deal also gives it distribution rights to the first season of Calls, which was created by Timoth\u00e9e Hochet. No release date or casting news has been announced.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-calls-1534193449326.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-calls-1534193449326_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:16,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”The Morning Show \r\n
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\r\nThe Morning Show is produced by and will star Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, and will focus on the behind-the-scenes drama that goes into making a popular morning news show. Steve Carell will also star in the project, which will reportedly draw inspiration from Brian Stelter\u2019s nonfiction book, Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV. That book explored the rivalry between ABC\u2019s Good Morning America and NBC\u2019s Today show. Apple has given the series an initial two-season order comprised of 10 episodes per season. House of Cards alum Jay Carson wrote the pilot and is serving as showrunner.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-morningshow-1534193449348.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-morningshow-1534193449348_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:17,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Carpool Karaoke \r\n
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\r\nExecutive produced by James Corden – who grew his Carpool Karaoke concept into a viral sensation as part of his Late Late Show on CBS – this unscripted series pairs together celebrities for a road trip that includes plenty of singing, but also incorporates encounters with fans and stops at random locations, basically as an excuse to see two stars interacting and interviewing each other in a less formal setting than on a late night show. A second season premiered on October 12, 2018.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-karaoke-1534193449339.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-karaoke-1534193449339_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:18,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Foundation \r\n
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\r\nIsaac Asimov\u0027s influential sci-fi saga, Foundation, is an ambitious project for Apple, even with their nearly limitless resources. With a straight-to-series order from the tech giant, Foundation tells the story of a psychohistorian, who in the distant future predicts the downfall of the great Galactic Empire. Seen as a kook by his peers, Hari Seldon is exiled for his radical beliefs. The series is being developed by Dark Knight scribe David S. Goyer and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles creator Josh Friedman. No casting or release date has been announced.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-foundation–1534193449334.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-foundation–1534193449334_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:19,”albumTotalCount”:34},{“caption”:”Are You Sleeping\r\n
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\r\nOctavia Spencer will star in this true crime drama based on the novel of the same name by Kathleen Barber. The series centers around the host of a popular true crime podcast (Spencer) whose investigation into an old murder case will have major consequences for the victim\u2019s family and the supposed murderer (played by Aaron Paul), who may or may not have been wrongfully convicted. Lizzy Caplan, Elizabeth Perkins, Mekhi Phifer, Tracie Thomas, Michael Beach and Ron Cephas Jones also star. Serial creator Sarah Koenig will be a consulting producer, and Reese Witherspoon executive-produces through her Hello Sunshine production company.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-sleeping-1534193449362.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/applestreaming-sleeping-1534193449362_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Every TV Show Coming to Apple”,”relativePosition”:20,”albumTotalCount”:34}]’
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Aquaman star Jason Momoa, alongside Oscar-nominated actress Alfre Woodard, also addressed the press about their new sci-fi project, See. Written by Peaky Blinders showrunner Steven Knight, the series centers on humanity after a devastating virus wiped out millions and blinded all of the survivors. The story takes place generations later, when, according to Woodard, “The human race has existed for so long without sight, it’s disputed it ever existed.” She added, “Our story features evil queens, brave heroes and thrilling adventure. But beyond the adventure, See will start asking questions – how much of my experience of the world is visual? Without sight, would it change who I am? This is a world constructed unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. We cannot wait for you to join us on this journey.”
Towards the end of the panel, Cook played a short sizzle reel showcasing some of the upcoming Apple TV+ series. In the footage, we got a good look at Momoa and Woodard in See; as well as Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Steve Carrell in their upcoming drama,The Morning Show; plus Ron Moore’s new space race drama For All Mankind, starring Joel Kinnaman; and Dickinson, the period drama about Emily Dickinson starring Hailee Steinfeld.
The biggest questions going into the Apple presentation were: How much will the Apple TV streaming service cost, compared to the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and upcoming upstarts like Disney+ and WarnerMedia; and how will viewers access Apple’s programming? We got an answer to one question: per Apple, “on the Apple TV app, subscribers will enjoy inspiring and authentic stories with emotional depth and compelling characters from all walks of life, ad-free and on demand.” But the question of price for the subscription service has yet to be announced.
There were rumors that Apple would give away its TV programming for free to anyone with an iOS or Apple TV device, which could be the tech giant’s strategy.
There have been rumors that the service intended to bundle subscriptions to other networks, like HBO, Starz, and Showtime, to compete with players like Amazon – which already offers Prime members the ability to add subscriptions via its Channels storefront and access their content all in one place, rather than turning to traditional cable packages or cord-cutting services like DirecTV Now, Hulu Live, or YouTube TV.
That prediction was borne out by Apple’s announcement of the new Apple TV app (launching in May) and its Apple TV Channels service, which, Apple says, “brings together the different ways to discover and watch shows, movies, sports, news and more in one app across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, smart TVs and streaming devices. Users can subscribe to and watch new Apple TV channels — paying for only services they want, like HBO, SHOWTIME and Starz — all on demand, available on and offline, with incredible picture quality and sound; enjoy sports, news and network TV from cable and satellite providers as well as purchase or rent iTunes movies and TV shows all within the new, personalized Apple TV app.” This à la carte bundling method puts Apple TV on a more competitive playing field with the likes of Amazon Prime and Roku, which aim to be one-stop platforms to keep users in one place for all their entertainment needs, rather than Netflix.
Apple has a number of high-profile projects in the works, in addition to the Spielberg-produced reboot of Amazing Stories; an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation from David Goyer and Josh Friedman; shows starring Chris Evans, Brie Larson, Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Aniston, and Jennifer Garner, and projects written, directed, or produced by the likes of J.J. Abrams, Damien Chazelle, Taika Waititi, Reese Witherspoon, M. Night Shyamalan, and Oprah, among other A-list names.
Laura Prudom is the Executive TV Editor at IGN. You can talk to her on Twitter at @LauinLA.
David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He’s also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.