Engadget outlines strategies to lower Apple TV+ subscription costs
A recent guide details how consumers can leverage carrier deals, student plans, and sports rights to maximise value from the streaming service.
An Engadget article published on 23 June 2026 outlines methods for consumers to reduce the cost of an Apple TV+ subscription, which is currently priced at $12.99 per month. The guide highlights that while the service raised its price by $3 last year, it remains cheaper than competitors such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney+, which charge between $17 and $20 monthly. The publication notes that Apple has built a catalog of prestige television, including shows such as Widow's Bay, Shrinking, and Severance, but offers several avenues to lower the entry price.
The article details specific discount mechanisms, including bundles with T-Mobile, where Apple TV+ can be added for $3 per month, and various packages through Xfinity. It also points to the Apple One bundle, which offers four subscriptions including Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud space for $19.95 per month. For families, the Apple One plan costs $25.95 per month, while the Premier tier, which adds Fitness+, News+, and 2TB of cloud storage, is priced at $37.95 per month.
New device purchasers are eligible for significant trial periods. The guide notes that buying an iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, or Apple TV 4K allows users to redeem up to three months of free access. Additionally, students can access a Student Plan bundling Apple TV+ and Apple Music for $5.99 per month, along with a one-month free trial, which is longer than the standard seven-day trial available to general users.
Apple TV+ also holds exclusive sports rights that add value to the subscription. The service is the exclusive broadcaster for Formula 1 races for five years, following a $750 million deal. It also streams the entirety of Major League Soccer matches, including the Leagues Cup and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and broadcasts Major League Baseball’s Friday Night Baseball series without local broadcast blackouts.
Further bundling options include a partnership with NBCUniversal that allows subscribers to add Peacock for $2 per month. An optional ad-free Amazon Prime add-on is available for $5 per month, creating a three-service package. The article also mentions that Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive complimentary access to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, providing another route for cost reduction.
