April 9, 2024

The State of Apple TV+ and 3 Shows To Check Out

Nearly five years post-launch, how is Apple TV+ doing today? By: Kritchanon Tan Kian Wei

US - This November, Apple TV+ will celebrate its fifth anniversary. Nearly five years after the service launched, how is Apple TV+ doing today? What shows should you watch on the streaming service? Read on to find out!

Shows to Watch

1. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023-2024)

Set in the Monsterverse, the same universe the recent blockbuster Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) is set in, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters takes places in 2015, a year after the events of Godzilla (2014), and sees two siblings discovering their family’s connection to Monarch, a secretive scientific organisation. With an 89% and 78% critics and audience score respectively on Rotten Tomatoes, this show is a must-see for fans of the Monsterverse. Even if you’re not a fan, captivating human storylines and occasional appearances by Godzilla may draw you in.

2. Pachinko (2022)

Based on the 2017 New York Times best selling novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko tells the story of four generations of a Korean family that moves to Japan, detailing their living conditions and the discrimination they face. The critically acclaimed show currently has a 97% critics score and 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and will resonate with audiences who have immigrated before or who are living in an immigrant family.

3. Ted Lasso (2020-2023)

One of the most popular TV shows on Apple TV+, Ted Lasso is a three-season American sports comedy-drama series that sees American football coach Ted Lasso managing a British soccer team despite having no experience in coaching soccer. Its 34-episode run will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that you’ll certainly enjoy and it won’t take long to understand why this show has a 90% critics and 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Apple TV+ Today

It’s hard to see how Apple TV+ is doing, given that Apple does not officially reveal its streaming numbers or subscriber counts. However, estimates put the number of paid subscribers at a respectable 25 million as of March 2022. Content strategy-wise, Apple seems to be building their own IPs, as seen with Ted Lasso, while making deals for licensed properties to have Apple TV+ shows, as seen with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. While it is unclear which direction Apple TV+ is heading, there is no doubt that there are plenty of great offerings under the Apple TV+ name.

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