Yes, Apple TV+ shows require a subscription; other shows in the Apple TV app may be paid, bundled with channels, or tied to separate plans.
If you’re opening the Apple TV app and wondering what needs a paid plan, you’re not alone. The app houses many things under one roof: Apple TV+ originals, paid channels, live sports like MLS Season Pass, and a store for buying or renting. The rules are simple once you split them by content type and how access works.
Apple TV App Vs. Apple TV+
The Apple TV app is a storefront and hub. Apple TV+ is a streaming plan inside that hub. Think of Apple TV+ as one content library—Apple-made series and films—nested within the larger app that also links you to network apps, premium channels, and purchases. Apple’s own guide spells this out clearly in the Apple TV App User Guide.
Quick Matrix: Where Access Comes From
Use this table to see, at a glance, whether you’ll be billed through Apple TV+, another channel, or a one-off purchase.
| Content Type | How You Access It | Subscription Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ Originals | Included with an active Apple TV+ plan | Yes, Apple TV+ plan required |
| Premium “Channels” (e.g., Starz via Apple) | Add the channel inside the Apple TV app | Yes, channel plan billed in Apple TV app |
| MLS Season Pass | Standalone sports plan inside the app | Yes, separate pass; Apple TV+ gives a small discount |
| Buy/Rent TV Episodes Or Movies | One-time payment in the Apple TV app store | No streaming plan needed for bought items |
| Third-Party Services (e.g., Disney+, Hulu) | Open their apps from Apple TV, then sign in | Yes, those services have their own plans |
Apple TV+ Shows: What “Requires A Subscription” Really Means
Apple-produced series and films live inside the Apple TV+ library. To stream them, you need an active Apple TV+ plan. Apple lists current pricing and trials on the official Apple TV+ page. Promotions vary (new device offers, student perks, free trials), but the access rule stays the same: Apple TV+ originals sit behind the Apple TV+ paywall.
Can you buy Apple TV+ originals outright? In general, no. The store section sells lots of TV and film titles, but Apple’s originals are tied to the streaming plan. A few theatrical titles linked to Apple Studios have appeared as paid purchases, yet the flagship episodic shows stay within the plan.
Taking An Apple TV Show In Checked Luggage—Wait, Wrong Topic!
Just checking you’re still with me. Kidding aside, many readers skim these guides fast. If you only remember one thing, remember this: Apple TV+ originals need the Apple TV+ plan; the rest depends on whether you added a channel, bought an episode, or hold a separate service’s login.
Access Without An Apple TV+ Plan
You can open the Apple TV app with no paid plan and still use it in a few ways:
- Buy or rent episodes and seasons from networks carried in the store.
- Add a channel like Starz and pay only for that channel.
- Sign in to third-party apps (Disney+, Max, Hulu) you already pay for.
- Watch MLS Season Pass by purchasing that pass on its own. Details appear on Apple’s MLS Season Pass page and the league site’s Season Pass explainer.
Device Access And App Variations
The Apple TV app runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, many smart TVs, and major streaming sticks. The web version at tv.apple.com covers most library access. App features can vary by device family. Apple documents where each feature appears in the official guide.
Pricing, Trials, And Bundles (United States)
Apple posts current plan details on the Apple TV+ page, and bundles on the Apple One marketing page. Numbers move from time to time, but here’s a snapshot of the structure readers ask about most.
| Plan | What You Get | Price (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ | Apple originals (series, films, live Friday Night Baseball and Sunday Night Soccer when in season) | $12.99/month after trial |
| Apple One | Bundle with Apple TV+, Music, Arcade, iCloud+ (plan tiers vary) | From $19.95/month |
| MLS Season Pass | Every MLS match; whip-around show; no local blackouts | Typical full season $99; monthly plans offered; Apple TV+ discount applies |
Family Sharing And Offline Viewing
With Apple Family Sharing, one Apple TV+ subscription can be shared with up to five other people in your family group. Each person keeps their own recommendations and watchlist. Many devices allow downloads for offline playback when you’re on the go. These features are covered across Apple’s support pages linked above.
Natural Keyword Variant: Do You Need Apple TV Plus To Watch Originals?
For the Apple-made series and films, yes. Titles like comedies, dramas, and prestige limited series from Apple land inside the Apple TV+ library, so an active plan is the path in. Free trials and device promos can let you sample without paying right away, but continued access calls for a paid plan once the promo window ends.
Where People Get Tripped Up
“I See A Show In The App, But It Says Add Channel”
That means the title sits inside a premium channel’s catalog that Apple bills through the app. Add that channel, or open the channel’s own app and sign in if you already pay for it elsewhere.
“I Bought A Season. Why Won’t A Different Series Play?”
Purchases unlock only the specific episodes you paid for. Think of the store as digital ownership for that title, not a pass to other network series.
“I Have Apple TV+, So Why Can’t I Watch That Network Drama?”
Apple TV+ covers only Apple’s originals. Network shows live in channels or in their own apps with separate plans.
“Can I Watch MLS Without Apple TV+?”
Yes. MLS Season Pass is separate. Apple TV+ subscribers usually get a small discount, which Apple references on the Season Pass page linked above.
How To Decide The Cheapest Path For A Show
- Search The Title Inside The App. Look at the badge under the artwork. You’ll see “Apple TV+,” a channel name, or a buy/rent button.
- If It’s An Apple Original, activate Apple TV+ or start a trial if eligible. Check current offers on the Apple page.
- If It’s A Channel Title, compare the in-app channel price with subscribing to that service directly. Either route works; billing just differs.
- If It’s In The Store, compare the cost of buying a season to a month or two of the service that carries it. For short shows, buying might be cheaper; for long runs, a subscription can win.
Tips To Save Money
- Free Trials And Device Deals: New Apple devices often come with a time-limited Apple TV+ promo. Terms sit on Apple’s site.
- Pause And Resume: Finish a season, then cancel until the next one returns. The app keeps your list and progress.
- Bundle Math: If you already pay for Music or iCloud+, check Apple One pricing. The bundle can beat separate plans at the right tier.
- Sports Timing: MLS Season Pass pricing can change mid-season. If you only watch late-season matches, a discounted pass may pop up closer to playoffs; the league’s page shares current offers.
Where To Find The Official Rules
Apple keeps the master references on two pages that answer nearly every access question:
Bottom Line That Delivers Clarity
Apple TV+ originals need the Apple TV+ plan. Anything labeled as a channel needs that channel. Store items can be bought outright with no plan. MLS Season Pass is separate, with a small discount for Apple TV+ subscribers. Once you identify where a show sits, the billing path is plain.