As we switch back to WFH and lean on streaming services to brighten your day, it’s time to expand our entertainment horizons. In September 2021, Ted Lasso won seven Emmy Awards, a record of sorts for Apple TV+ within two years of its launch in November 2019. Here’s all you need to know about Apple’s very own streaming service:
Setting up: If you’ve just bought an iPhone, iPad or Mac, Apple TV+ is free for the first three months. That’s enough time to dip your toes and decide if you want to switch to paid subscription mode once your free trial expires. You can access it with your Apple TV and also other devices like a Fire TV stick, gaming consoles (both PlayStation and Xbox), LG and Samsung smart TVs. Of course, you stream all the content to your iPhone or iPad too.
Cost: It costs Rs 99/month as a stand-alone subscription post your free trial. You could also opt for an Apple One subscription that costs Rs 195/month and bundles Apple Music, Arcade (for games), iCloud+ (up to 50GB) along with Apple TV+. You can add services (at an additional monthly subscription) like Lionsgate Play or Eros Now to access a wider array of international and Indian language movies.
My Kolkata picks the top 5 shows to watch right now on Apple TV+
Ted Lasso: At a time when we’ve grown accustomed to extreme levels of on-screen violence, Ted Lasso comes as a breath of fresh air. A tale of hope laced with humour couldn’t have come at a better time. This feel-good show follows the journey of Ted Lasso (essayed by Jason Sudeikis), an American football coach hired to manage a struggling British soccer team despite having no coaching experience. It won seven Emmys including ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series’ for Jason Sudeikis.
Tehran: Moshe Zonder’s spy thriller was originally created for Israeli public channel Kan 11 and became the first Israeli series to win an Emmy (‘Best Drama Series’ in 2021). This gripping tale follows a Mossad agent on her first mission in the Iranian capital that also happens to be the place of her birth. Mark Eliyahu’s soundtrack adds to the drama.
Defending Jacob: Chris Evans (best known for his role as Captain America in the Avenger franchise) plays the lead in this crime drama. This miniseries is adapted from the novel of the same name by William Landay and captures the emotions of a family dealing with the accusation that their 14-year-old son may be a murderer.
The Morning Show: Reviews might be mixed on the second season but a high power cast that includes Jennifer Anniston, Steve Carell and Reese Witherspoon lift the first season that captures the cutthroat world of breakfast television with the backdrop of corporate sexual misconduct.
See: GoT fans might dig this big budget sci-fi saga that is all set to return with its third season. See is set in a future where humans don’t possess the gift of sight and where society has found new ways to socially interact and survive without vision. This show scores with its visual effects and imaginative screenplay.