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I canceled Netflix a year ago — here’s the unexpected alternative I finally stuck with
I never expected to find myself fawning over Apple TV.
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Brady Snyder / Android Authority
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I have been in a streaming rut for some time. I canceled my Netflix subscription last year after growing increasingly dissatisfied with the platform. However, finding a Netflix alternative that sticks, especially in a market with limited competition, has been a challenge.
I cycled through a few options and couldn’t find one that really kept me hooked or made me feel like I was getting my money’s worth. And the platform I finally settled on — Apple TV — was the last one I expected to capture my loyalty.
If you had to choose between Apple TV and Netflix, which streaming service would you subscribe to?
Apple TV was always the last streaming service on my list
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
I was a Netflix loyalist for years, enjoying the platform’s content and the sheer volume of movies and TV shows I could explore. Apple TV, on the other hand, stood in contrast with its limited catalog. While I had heard about critically acclaimed shows like Ted Lasso and Severance, they were never enough to make me feel like the cost of the service was justified.
In fact, I compared local streaming prices in 2023, and Apple TV (then known as Apple TV+) stood out as the most expensive streaming service available locally on default plans.
Apple TV’s price versus its limited catalog dissuaded me from trying out the service for years.
I also don’t own any Apple devices, so I don’t get perks like a free three-month subscription when buying a new product. Even Family Sharing, which would allow me to split the subscription between different people, isn’t an option because setting up the feature requires an Apple device.
With its limited catalog, high price, and lack of incentives or sharing without an Apple device, I didn’t have much reason to subscribe to the service. If I did want to try another streamer, I’d look at Prime Video, Disney+, or a local service called Showmax. The only time I engaged with Apple TV was during a free trial to see what the fuss about Foundation was. While I loved the series, I couldn’t find enough content on the platform to justify a subscription.
But then things changed.
The streaming landscape has changed considerably
Shimul Sood / Android Authority
While Netflix remains the top streaming platform, many users feel its golden age has passed. Price increases and the password-sharing crackdown created a very different landscape. Meanwhile, users faced series cancellations so Netflix could save costs, with an increasing amount of low-budget content, such as reality TV shows.
I used to keep my Netflix subscription active because I always had something to watch whenever I tuned in. But I grew frustrated with how many shows were being canceled, while ones that could’ve ended on a high note were dragged out. Last year, I canceled my subscription completely because it just wasn’t worth it anymore. Nothing new on the platform attracted my attention. When a new season of a show was released, it was often split across two months to encourage users to subscribe longer. For me, this just removed any urgency I had to watch a new season when it arrived.
The streaming landscape has changed due to price increases, password-sharing crackdowns, and which shows get prioritized by streaming giants.
At the same time, I found myself spending more time in front of the TV. I previously spent my evenings gaming, but my chronic pain made that hobby less accessible for me. Now, I settle down and watch a series once I’m done with work. I experimented with Prime Video, the most affordable local streaming service. And while it has some great series, I also found myself increasingly finishing shows with a shrug, or simply to know how they end.
I knew what I was craving: in-depth, high-budget shows with expansive lore. It’s the type of content I usually associate with HBO, but the local service that supplied the network’s content didn’t renew its license. Meanwhile, Disney Plus had raised its prices, making it one of the most expensive streaming services where I live. And that’s when I started seriously considering Apple TV as my new primary streaming service.
This is the first time in a while I’ve felt happy with a streaming app
Megan Ellis / Android Authority
The craving for rich sci-fi and Apple TV’s expanding library of content convinced me to finally subscribe to the service. In contrast to Netflix’s Standard or Premium plan and Disney Plus’ new local pricing, Apple TV’s cost no longer seemed that high. In South Africa, Apple TV costs R124.99 (about $7.70) per month. Meanwhile, Netflix Standard costs R179 (around $11) per month and Premium costs R229 (around $14) per month. Disney Plus also costs R179 ($11) per month.
Platforms like Paramount Plus, Peacock, BritBox, and HBO Max aren’t available locally. While some content from those platforms can be accessed on certain services under licensing agreements, HBO content is no longer available locally at all. This means the only real options I had were Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Apple TV, and a local service called DStv Stream.
Apple TV won out because of the number of critically acclaimed sci-fi shows, which were the antidote to the streaming malaise I’ve been feeling lately. While its price is higher than Prime Video, it’s not so high that I feel like I’m losing money if I don’t stream series every single day. A month after subscribing, it doesn’t feel like a grudge purchase either, and I still have plenty to watch.
While Apple TV isn’t immune to duds, there are plenty of great shows to justify the cost of the platform.
Don’t get me wrong, Apple TV definitely has its duds. While I was excited to watch Invasion, the show was ultimately disappointing. But I didn’t come away with the feeling that it wasted my time. This contrasts with what I’ve felt with the Netflix and Prime Video shows I watched most recently. Its UI and recommendations leave a bit to be desired, but the experience just feels under-optimized rather than unusable.
Brady Snyder / Android Authority
It’s the excellent content that stands out above many of its competitors’ offerings. Silo, Foundation, and Murderbot are great shows that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. After watching Widow’s Bay on a whim, I really loved the show’s quirky approach to horror. My watchlist is populated by plenty of interesting shows, from period dramas to nerdy comedies. For the first time in a long time, I feel satisfied with my decision to subscribe to a service.
The caveat is that because I’ve put off subscribing for so long, I have plenty to watch. If you subscribed to the platform recently, you may have less fresh content to browse. Also, if you’re in a market with more streaming competition and different prices, Apple TV might not offer the same value.
However, if you value rich sci-fi content, Apple TV is definitely the platform I’d recommend subscribing to. The value is even better if you have access to Family Sharing or are considering an Apple One bundle plan.
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