Apple’s U.S. monthly Apple TV subscription rose from $9.99 to $12.99 on August 21, 2025. If the reported $99.99 annual plan is available in your account, paying yearly costs $55.89 less than 12 monthly payments—about $50 when rounded. The catch: Apple’s current public pricing page prominently shows the monthly plan, not the annual option, so check your account’s plan selector before counting on that saving.
What changed—and when did the higher price apply?
Apple raised the U.S. monthly price of its streaming subscription by $3, from $9.99 to $12.99, a 30.03% increase commonly rounded to 30%. The change took effect for new customers on August 21, 2025. Existing subscribers were told the higher price would apply 30 days after their next renewal date, so it did not necessarily hit every account on the announcement date. TechCrunch reported the price and timing.
These are U.S. prices. Apple’s current branding is “Apple TV”; older coverage and many accounts still call the subscription Apple TV+. It is a streaming service, not the Apple TV 4K device. The Apple TV app also offers third-party channels, rentals and purchases, which are not the same thing as the subscription.
Apple’s public U.S. page currently lists Apple TV at $12.99 per month after a seven-day free trial. The page does not prominently show an annual price. Check Apple’s current pricing page and your account’s checkout before making a plan decision.
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- 4K High Dynamic Range (Dolby Vision and HDR10) for stunning picture quality
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound
- A10X Fusion chip for ultra-fast graphics and performance
- Voice search by asking the Siri Remote
How the “save $50” claim adds up
Contemporary reporting said the U.S. annual plan remained $99.99. Compared with 12 months at the current $12.99 monthly rate, that is a $55.89 difference. That arithmetic—not a coupon or a $50 credit—is the basis for the rounded “save $50” claim.
| Billing option | 12-month cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly: $12.99 × 12 | $155.88 |
| Reported annual plan | $99.99 |
| Difference | $55.89 |
The $99.99 annual figure was reported by TechCrunch; TechRadar also covered annual billing. Apple’s current public page does not prominently list the annual option, so treat $99.99 as a reported price, not a guarantee that every account can select it today. The annual equivalent is about $8.33 per month, but the full amount is paid upfront.
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The comparison matters: at the former $9.99 monthly rate, a year cost $119.88, making the difference from $99.99 only $19.89. The larger saving is measured against the new $12.99 rate.
When is annual billing actually cheaper?
At $12.99 a month, $99.99 equals about 7.7 months of monthly billing. If the annual plan appears in your account at that price, it is likely cheaper if you expect to subscribe for eight or more months in the next year. Monthly billing is cheaper for one through seven months, before considering any promotions or taxes.
Rank #3
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
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- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
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| Time subscribed at $12.99 monthly | Monthly total | Compared with reported $99.99 annual price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $12.99 | Monthly costs less |
| 3 months | $38.97 | Monthly costs less |
| 6 months | $77.94 | Monthly costs less |
| 8 months | $103.92 | Annual costs less |
| 12 months | $155.88 | Annual saves $55.89 |
Use annual billing if you expect steady viewing across most of the year and can verify the offer in your account. If you mainly follow a handful of shows, subscribe for a month or two when you want to watch, then cancel before the next renewal and return when more content has accumulated. Two, three and four monthly payments cost $25.98, $38.97 and $51.96 respectively.
How to check your plan before switching
- Open the Apple TV app or visit Apple’s Apple TV page, then sign in with the Apple Account associated with your subscription.
- Open the account menu or subscription-management area and review the plans shown for your account. Interface labels and available options can vary.
- Compare the full annual charge with the cost of the months you actually expect to watch. Do not rely only on a monthly equivalent.
- If you change plans, review the next billing date and any prorated charge or credit shown before confirming.
- Keep the confirmation email or a screenshot of the selected plan and billing details.
The account’s live checkout is the practical source for whether an annual option is available to you and what it costs. The public page confirms the $12.99 monthly plan and seven-day trial, but does not establish that every subscriber can select annual billing.
Rank #4
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
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- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Other ways to get access or lower the effective cost
Apple One: worthwhile when you use the other services
Apple says Apple One starts at $19.95 per month and includes Apple TV along with other Apple services. If you want only Apple TV, that is $6.96 more per month than the $12.99 standalone plan. It may make sense if you already pay for services such as Apple Music, iCloud+ or Apple Arcade and value the combined package. Compare the total with what you would otherwise pay for the services you actually use; do not count unused inclusions as savings. See Apple One.
Student access through Apple Music
Apple says eligible students get Apple TV access through the Apple Music Student Plan. Check the current student signup terms for price, verification requirements and regional availability before switching; eligibility and the value of the plan depend on whether you also want Apple Music. Review Apple Music’s student offer.
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- The new Siri Remote with touch-enabled clickpad - Use AirPlay to share photos, videos, and more from your device on your TV
- Apple Original shows and movies from Apple TV+ - Watch the latest hits from Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more
- More ways to enjoy your TV with Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Music - Private listening using up to two sets of AirPods
Trials and eligible Apple-device offers
Apple currently advertises a seven-day trial for new subscribers and three months of access with an eligible Apple device purchase when redeemed within the stated period. These are temporary offers, not permanent price reductions. Eligibility can depend on whether you are a new or qualifying returning subscriber, and trials may renew as paid subscriptions unless canceled before the renewal date. Check the terms displayed when redeeming. Buying hardware solely to obtain a temporary subscription offer is not a sensible saving if you did not already want the device. Check Apple’s current offers.
Apple TV–Peacock bundle: only if you want Peacock too
Apple’s U.S. bundle offers Apple TV with Peacock Premium for $14.99 per month, or with Peacock Premium Plus for $19.99 per month. The Premium option includes Peacock ads; Apple says the bundle saves more than 30% compared with buying the services separately. Because either bundle costs more than Apple TV alone, it is not a way to reduce the price of Apple TV for a viewer who does not want Peacock. It may suit a household that also wants Peacock’s NBCUniversal programming, sports or live events. Apple’s bundle announcement has details; check the current checkout for terms and availability.
Avoid duplicate charges when changing billing
Before enrolling through a bundle or a different provider, find out where the current subscription is billed: directly by Apple, through an app store or through another provider. A new signup does not necessarily merge or replace an existing subscription. Apple’s bundle announcement warns that existing subscriptions may need to be managed to prevent multiple charges.
- Check the current subscription’s payment source and next renewal date.
- Cancel or switch the existing plan as appropriate before starting another billing route.
- After changing, confirm which service or provider will charge you and when the next payment is due.
- For a trial, note its end date and the paid renewal terms shown at signup.
Do you need an Apple TV device?
No. Apple says the service is available through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, Android and Windows devices, and at tv.apple.com. You do not need to buy an Apple TV 4K box to subscribe. Apple lists supported ways to watch.
Apple also lists Friday Night Baseball and, starting in 2026, U.S. Formula 1 and MLS coverage. Sports availability can depend on the event, region and restrictions, so confirm the specific broadcast you want before subscribing. The same Apple page describes the current sports offering: Apple TV viewing and content information.
Quick Recap
Choose by how you watch
- Apple TV only, most of the year: Check whether the reported $99.99 annual option appears in your account; it is the lower-cost choice above roughly eight months of viewing at $12.99 per month.
- Only a few shows or release windows: Monthly subscription rotation can cost less than paying for months you do not watch.
- You already use Apple services: Compare Apple One’s total with your current combined spending and the value you place on its included services.
- You also want Peacock: Compare the bundle with separate subscriptions and account for the Peacock tier and ads.
- You are an eligible student or recently bought qualifying Apple hardware: Check the relevant offer terms before starting a regular paid subscription.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
