Apple TV’s first quarter of 2026 delivered a concentrated run of returning series, a handful of new scripted bets, the film Eternity and a substantial sports offering. It was a stronger quarter for viewers invested in existing Apple franchises than for anyone seeking a flood of brand-new hits. This retrospective covers releases from January 1 through March 31; sports are treated separately because they are ongoing coverage, not premieres.
Apple increasingly calls its streaming service Apple TV; many viewers still know it as Apple TV+. The schedule below filters Apple’s broader 2026 slate to first-quarter releases only. Apple’s official 2026 series listing and its February 2026 slate announcement provide the release context.
Apple TV’s January–March 2026 release calendar
The dates below are the announced premiere dates for series and the release date for the film. A listed premiere does not mean every episode arrived on that date: several series rolled out weekly. Availability and release timing can vary by territory.
| Date | Title | Format | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 9 | Tehran, season 3 | Returning series | Spy thriller. |
| January 14 | Hijack, season 2 | Returning series | Thriller continuation. |
| January 21 | Drops of God, season 2 | Returning series | International drama centered on wine and inheritance. |
| January 28 | Shrinking, season 3 | Returning series | Comedy-drama starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. |
| February 13 | Eternity | Film | Romantic comedy starring Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Miles Teller; made in association with A24. |
| February 20 | The Last Thing He Told Me, season 2 | Returning series | Mystery-drama continuation. |
| February 27 | Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, season 2 | Returning series | The MonsterVerse series returned for a second season. |
| March 4 | The Hunt (Traqués) | New series | Internationally positioned Apple TV original. |
| March 13 | Twisted Yoga | New series | Listed by Apple among its 2026 series releases. |
| March 18 | Imperfect Women | New limited series | Eight episodes starring Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara; two episodes premiered at launch, followed by weekly releases. |
| March 27 | For All Mankind, season 5 | Returning series | The alternate-history space drama continued its Mars-focused story. |
The quarter’s cadence was steady rather than built around a single launch week: returning shows arrived across January and February, with new series and a major science-fiction return in March. Apple’s February announcement promoted a wider 2026 slate, not just these first-quarter titles.
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The returning shows most likely to shape a watchlist
Shrinking season 3
For viewers following Apple’s comedy-drama, Jason Segel and Harrison Ford’s return was one of January’s clearest draws. Apple later renewed the series for a fourth season, a useful sign for viewers deciding whether to invest in the ongoing story. Apple’s renewals listing records the renewal.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2
This was the quarter’s most direct choice for viewers already invested in Apple’s MonsterVerse series. Its value is primarily franchise continuity: it extends the existing story rather than introducing a separate monster property.
For All Mankind season 5
The fifth season premiered March 27 and carried forward the show’s alternate-history space race, including its Mars-focused storyline after the Goldilocks asteroid events. It was the quarter’s most prominent returning science-fiction event for established fans.
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Hijack and The Last Thing He Told Me
Both returned with a new season in the first quarter: Hijack in January and The Last Thing He Told Me in February. They offered thriller and mystery continuations for viewers who prefer suspense-driven series to franchise spectacle or comedy-drama.
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These January returns broadened the slate beyond the most heavily promoted English-language franchises. Tehran is a spy thriller; Drops of God centers on wine and inheritance. They were natural picks for viewers seeking international drama alongside Apple’s larger returning shows.
New series: three different ways into the slate
Imperfect Women: a star-led limited series
Premiering March 18, Imperfect Women is an eight-episode psychological thriller starring Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara. Apple released two episodes at launch and then scheduled weekly installments. That format makes it a defined, paced commitment rather than a returning multi-season series. The cast and premise establish its appeal, but do not by themselves establish how viewers or critics received it. Apple’s announcement gives its format and release plan.
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The Hunt (Traqués)
Apple listed the series for March 4 as an internationally positioned original. It adds a new title rather than another season of an established Apple franchise, making it a discovery option for viewers who have already caught up on returning shows.
Twisted Yoga
Listed for March 13, Twisted Yoga was another new series in the quarter. The official listing establishes its place in the schedule; it does not provide enough detail here to make stronger claims about its genre or audience reception.
Eternity was the quarter’s principal film
Apple released Eternity on February 13. The romantic comedy stars Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Miles Teller and was made in association with A24. Its premise centers on a choice about the afterlife, offering a standalone movie night amid a schedule otherwise dominated by episodic series. Apple’s 2026 slate announcement confirms the date, cast and partnership.
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Sports were a separate part of Apple TV’s 2026 offer
Sports can change the subscription calculation, but they should not be confused with the quarter’s premiere calendar. Apple’s 2026 offering included MLS, Friday Night Baseball and Formula 1 coverage. The rights and package details are market-dependent; the F1 announcement specifically described U.S. availability.
- MLS: Apple said its service carried the 2026 season, including every MLS match. Check local package terms and restrictions rather than assuming identical access everywhere. Apple’s MLS announcement describes the season offering.
- Friday Night Baseball: Apple continued its MLB programming with two Friday matchups during the regular season. This is a specific weekly sports offering, not comprehensive access to every MLB game.
- Formula 1: Apple described F1 coverage as exclusive to Apple TV in the United States for the 2026 season, including practice, qualifying and races. Its March announcement also cited a U.S. price of $12.99 per month and a seven-day trial for new subscribers at that time; those terms are a dated price signal, not a lasting guarantee. Apple’s F1 announcement sets out the territory and offer.
Sports availability, blackouts, language options and commercial distribution can differ by market. Apple TV is not a universal replacement for every league package or live-TV service. The service can be accessed through the Apple TV app and web browser; an Apple-branded streaming box is not a prerequisite. Apple’s U.S. service page describes its service and household sharing, including sharing with up to five family members.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was Apple TV worth subscribing to for early 2026?
The quarter was strongest for viewers who wanted several returning Apple shows or who could use the sports offer in a supported market. It was less persuasive as a one-title purchase or for viewers whose main priority is a very large back catalog. The practical question is not whether every release appeals, but whether enough of the lineup matches your viewing habits.
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Worth considering for returning-series fans
If you were already watching Shrinking, For All Mankind, Monarch, Hijack or The Last Thing He Told Me, the first quarter offered a succession of reasons to stay subscribed. Add Imperfect Women if you want to sample a new limited series, or Eternity for a standalone film.
Potentially compelling for U.S. sports viewers
U.S. Formula 1 fans had the clearest sports-specific reason to consider Apple TV, particularly if they also wanted its scripted originals. MLS and Friday Night Baseball may add value for their respective fans, subject to local rights and package details.
Less compelling for catalog-first or single-title viewers
Apple’s first-quarter schedule emphasized a curated set of originals and returning franchises rather than a deep licensed library. If you wanted only one title, or expected a broad catalog or identical sports access worldwide, the quarter alone offered a weaker case. Weekly episodes also meant that some seasons could not be watched all at once at launch.
A practical viewing path
- Start with the returning show you already follow; that is the most direct test of the service’s value for you.
- Try Imperfect Women if you want a new, finite series rather than another ongoing franchise.
- Choose Eternity for a standalone movie night.
- Count sports only after checking the rights and package details for your country and the leagues you watch.
Apple’s U.S. service page says a subscription can be shared with up to five family members, which can improve household value. Terms and access can vary by account and region, so check the local service page before signing up.
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