The Apple TV app carries Apple TV+ originals, store rentals and purchases, plus add-on channel libraries in one place.
You open the Apple TV app and see tiles from many places in one feed. Below, you’ll see how each lane works, where to find titles, and the way to start watching without bouncing between apps.
What’s Included With The Apple TV App?
Think of the service in three parts: Apple TV+ originals, the store for rentals or purchases, and channels you can add. Each part lives inside the same app but follows different access rules. Once you know which lane a title belongs to, the “Watch” button makes sense and you avoid paywalls you didn’t expect.
Three Content Lanes At A Glance
The table below shows how the catalog is organized inside the app and how access works for each lane.
| Content Type | What You Get | Where It Lives |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ Originals | Exclusive series, films, and live sports produced or licensed for Apple TV+ | Included with an Apple TV+ subscription |
| Store Rentals & Purchases | New releases and catalog movies; some TV seasons to buy and keep | Pay per title in the iTunes Store section inside the app |
| Add-On Channels | Premium libraries from partners like AMC+, Starz, or Paramount+ | Subscribe as a channel; billing through your Apple ID |
Apple TV+ Originals: Flagship Series, Films, And Live Sports
Apple TV+ is Apple’s subscription library. It includes buzz-worthy dramas, offbeat comedies, kids fare, documentaries, and select live rights. Every title in this lane sits behind the Apple TV+ badge. Hit Play and it streams inside the same app on compatible devices.
Series People Stream Again And Again
Standout series include “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” “Silo,” “Slow Horses,” “Foundation,” “Pachinko,” and “Shrinking.” New seasons land through the year, with weekly drops common for fresh runs. Genres range from workplace comedies to sci-fi epics, so there’s always something with a different tone when you want a change.
Original Films And Documentaries
The film slate blends awards contenders and comfort rewatches. Think “CODA” (Best Picture winner), “Greyhound,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” (in participating regions), “Tetris,” “Finch,” “Napoleon,” and music or sports docs that play well on a Friday night. The catalog shifts as licenses change, but the core library stays centered on Apple-funded releases.
Sports Inside The App
Live rights rotate. Recent seasons included MLS Season Pass and select Friday Night Baseball. Availability depends on region and current contracts.
Where To Verify The Lineup
Apple maintains a public catalog page for its originals and a help article that explains how the app bundles services. If you want the official rundown, browse Apple’s TV+ catalog and the Apple TV app guide. Those pages list current titles, device list, and region notes. Links open in-app.
Store Rentals And Purchases: New Releases Without Another Subscription
Inside the same app is the store you might know as iTunes. This is where you rent tonight’s new movie or buy a classic to own in your library. Once purchased, titles sit under your Library tab and stream or download across devices signed in with your Apple ID.
Why Rent Or Buy Here?
You get early access for many studio films, 4K HDR when available, Dolby Atmos on compatible hardware, and tight integration with Up Next. If you prefer to collect a series season, the store usually carries complete bundles that sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV hardware, and the web player.
Finding Titles Fast
Use Search for a film name, actor, or director. On the movie page you’ll see two big options: Rent or Buy. Pick the format, confirm, and the title lands in your Library. If a title is also on an add-on channel or a competing app, the page may show multiple ways to watch. The store option remains clear with pricing and quality badges.
Add-On Channels: One Bill, One App
Channels bring external catalogs into the same interface. You can subscribe to partners like Starz, AMC+, or Paramount+ and stream their libraries without leaving the Apple TV app. Billing goes through your Apple ID, and you manage cancellations from Settings or the Subscriptions page.
What Changes When You Use A Channel
Titles from a channel display the channel badge and stream in-app with the same player controls, profiles, and Up Next. Offline downloads work on iPhone and iPad if the partner supports it through channels. If a partner only authenticates through its own app, the title card will launch out to that app instead of playing inside Apple’s player.
Examples Of Channel Libraries
Think premium dramas from Starz, classics and horror on AMC+ and Shudder, plus family picks on Noggin. Selection and regions can change.
How To Tell Where A Title Comes From
Open any title card and check the badge next to the Play or Get button. Apple TV+ titles carry the plus icon. Channel titles show the partner name. Store titles show Rent or Buy options. That visual cue helps you avoid surprise charges and pick the access method you want.
Reading A Title Page
Each page shows rating, runtime or episode count, video and audio formats, cast, and trailers. Scroll for bonus clips on select films and episode lists for series. Add to Up Next to keep a single rolling queue across devices.
Regional Availability And Devices
The app runs on recent Apple devices, many smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks. Catalogs and features can vary by country due to licensing. If a card says “Not Available,” it’s likely a region lock or a device without rights for that title. Switching to the web player can help in a pinch, but region rules still apply to your Apple ID.
You can install the app on recent Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Roku and Fire TV, plus web browsers. Sign in once and your Library, Up Next, and channels follow you. If a TV is older, use an Apple TV box for the smoothest ride.
Close Variant: Movies And Series You’ll Find In The Apple TV App
Here’s a concise list of titles people search for often, along with the lane that provides access. Availability can rotate; search inside the app to confirm current status.
Popular Apple TV+ Series
- “Ted Lasso”
- “Severance”
- “The Morning Show”
- “Silo”
- “Slow Horses”
- “Foundation”
- “Pachinko”
- “Shrinking”
Popular Apple TV+ Films
- “CODA”
- “Napoleon”
- “Greyhound”
- “Tetris”
- “Finch”
- “The Banker”
Notable Rentals And Purchases
New studio releases and classics show up under Top Movies and Trending. You’ll see frequent chart staples: superhero tentpoles, animated hits, award contenders, and evergreen catalog series packs. These live in the store lane and remain in your Library after checkout.
Sample Titles Across Lanes
The table below shows where a few talked-about titles usually sit. Check inside the app for current availability, as rights can rotate.
| Sample Title | Type | Typical Access |
|---|---|---|
| “Ted Lasso” | Series | Apple TV+ subscription |
| “Severance” | Series | Apple TV+ subscription |
| Recent Theatrical Hit | Film | Rent or buy in the store |
| “Outlander” | Series | Starz channel (availability varies) |
| Classic Trilogy Pack | Films | Buy bundle in the store |
| “The Godfather” | Film | Rent or buy; sometimes on a channel |
Tips To Build A Great Watch List
Use Up Next As Your Home Base
Tap the “+” on any card to add it to Up Next. Your queue syncs to every signed-in device, and it keeps your place across seasons. If you pause during credits, the player pushes the next episode to the front of the line.
Follow Genres And Curated Rows
Scroll along the genre rows for quick picks. Staff picks, award winners, and 4K showcases surface a mix of originals and store titles so you can choose to stream with a subscription or pay once.
Check Quality Badges
Look for 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos icons. Those badges tell you what your TV and speakers can take advantage of. If your setup supports it, you’ll notice crisper detail and fuller sound on compatible titles.
Manage Subscriptions Cleanly
Open Settings > Subscriptions to see active channels. You can start a trial, cancel a channel that you only needed for one series, or rejoin for a new season. Billing stays in one place under your Apple ID.
Troubleshooting Common Snags
“This Title Isn’t Available” Message
This usually points to region rights or a title that moved to another provider. Try a different device signed in with the same Apple ID, then refresh the Library tab. If the title is an old purchase, hide and unhide it to jog the listing.
Playback Looks Soft
Open the player’s info overlay and confirm the format. If your connection is slow, the stream may step down. A quick router restart or a wired connection to your TV box can help. On mobile, downloads give you a rock-steady picture on the go.
Confused By Multiple Watch Options
Use the badges. If you already pay for a channel, that option will show first. If you only want a one-time movie night, choose Rent in the store lane. You can also add a title to Up Next and decide later.
Bottom Line On The Apple TV App Catalog
Inside one app, you get originals from Apple TV+, a deep store for rentals and purchases, and optional channel libraries. Once you know which lane a title belongs to, the path to Play is clear.