The latest betas of iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 include HBO, EPIX, Cinemax as subscription options available within Apple’s TV app.
According to The Streamable, the following channels have been added to the the fourth betas of iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3, released yesterday.
- Cinemax
- EPIX
- Lifetime Movie Club
- Sundance Now
- UMC
People on the latest betas can basically sing up for a free seven-day trial to HBO from inside the TV App, in time for the latest episodes of Game of Thrones (after the trial, HBO is $15 per month). And because these TV app subscriptions support Family Sharing, you can use a single HBO subscription with up to five people in your household.
The move indicates that Apple is having success signing up content partners for the Apple TV Channels feature. The inaugural developer betas of iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 were limited to Showtime, Starz, Smithsonian and Tastemade.
When iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 release for public consumption next month, CBS All Access, Nickelodeon, Mubi, The History Channel Vault, Comedy Central Now, Acorn TV, Britbox, Noggin, MTV Hits and Shudder will be added to Apple TV Channels.
Apple TV Channels is basically a skinny video bundle Apple was trying to create for years, to no avail. Instead of subscribing to video service in their apps, Apple TV Channels lets you subscribe to a supported service within the TV app itself.
In addition, Apple hosts these streams to ensure smooth playback and with Apple TV Channels you don’t even need to have an app installed. Netflix, of course, will be notably absent from Apple TV Channels, just like it passed on integrating with the TV app—that’s why the TV app never recommends any Netflix content.
Aside from being available across iPhone, iPad and Mac, the TV app will be coming to your Mac this fall alongside the new Apple TV+ video-streaming service.
For details, see our hands-on overview of the Apple TV Channels feature.
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