ASSISTANT: No — Apple TV / Apple TV+ is *not* all pay-per-view. It has several different kinds of content and ways to access shows/movies. Here’s how it works:
---
### What is Apple TV+ vs the Apple TV app
- **Apple TV+** is Apple’s subscription streaming service. You pay a monthly fee, and you get access to exclusive “Apple Originals” shows and movies. You don’t pay extra per episode or film once subscribed. citeturn0search9turn0search7turn0search3
- The **Apple TV app** is more like a hub: it includes Apple TV+, but also offers other content — some from other streaming services ("channels" you can subscribe to via Apple), and some you can *rent or buy*. So the app mixes subscription, free, and pay-per-view / purchase/rental content. citeturn0search7turn0search3turn0search9
---
### Examples of what *is* pay-per-view / purchase/rental
- Movies that are not included with your subscription often have to be rented or bought.
- Some special events might be offered under a pay-per-view model.
---
If you tell me your country (or region), I can check how it works there — because availability/pricing & what’s included vs what you need to pay extra can vary.
USER: Well, you know where I live, don't you?
ASSISTANT: Yes — you’re in the U.S. 🇺🇸
So here’s how it looks for you specifically:
- **Apple TV+ subscription**: $9.99/month (as of 2025). That gets you all the Apple Originals — shows like *Severance*, *Foundation*, *Ted Lasso*, etc. No extra charge once you’re subscribed.
- **Apple TV app content**: You’ll also see movies and shows from iTunes, which are available to **rent or buy** (like pay-per-view). For example, a new release movie might cost $5.99 to rent or $19.99 to purchase.
- **Apple TV Channels**: You can subscribe to things like Starz, Paramount+, or AMC+ directly through the Apple TV app, and those charge their own monthly fees.
- **Live sports**: Friday Night Baseball is included with Apple TV+ in the U.S. right now, but Major League Soccer (MLS Season Pass) is an extra subscription.
👉 So: Apple TV is a **mix** — the subscription side (Apple TV+) is not pay-per-view, but within the app you’ll also see options to rent/buy or subscribe to other services.
Would you like me to break down the difference between *renting* and *buying* movies through Apple TV too?
USER: I'm looking for free content. Is there any way to have only free content shown to me?
ASSISTANT: Good question — the Apple TV app is kind of sneaky because it tries to surface *everything* (subscription, rentals, purchases, free). But yes, there are a few ways to nudge it toward free content:
---
### 1. Apple TV+ Free Trial or Bundles
- If you haven’t subscribed before, Apple usually gives **7 days free** (sometimes 3 months if you buy an Apple device).
- During the free trial, all Apple Originals are “free” to watch.
---
### 2. Free Channels / Apps Inside Apple TV
- Some services (like **PBS**, **Pluto TV**, **Tubi**, or **Crackle**) have apps or “channels” that show **free, ad-supported content**.
- If you add those apps, you can stream without paying — you’ll just get commercials.
---
### 3. Filtering / Browsing Tricks
- Unfortunately, the Apple TV app doesn’t have a universal **“Free Only” filter**.
- But you can go straight into the dedicated free apps (Tubi, Pluto, PBS, etc.) from the TV app or just download those apps directly and bypass Apple TV’s mixed catalog.
- If you only open the **Apple TV+ tab** (instead of the “Watch Now” tab), you’ll only see what’s included in your subscription/free trial — no rentals or purchases mixed in.
---
### 4. “Free to Me” Section
- In some regions, the Apple TV app has a **“Free to Me”** or **“Included with Apple TV+”** section. In the U.S., that usually shows Apple Originals plus any free channels you’ve added.
---
So yes — you can lean the app toward free, but the smoothest path is either:
1. **Stick to Apple TV+** content (with free trial if you have one), or
2. **Use the free streaming apps** through Apple TV (Tubi, Pluto, PBS, etc.).
---
👉 Do you want me to put together a short list of the *best free streaming apps* that integrate with the Apple TV app, so you don’t have to dig around?
USER: Yes, please.
ASSISTANT: Alright — here’s a solid starter list of **free streaming apps/channels** you can add to your Apple TV (or access through the Apple TV app) that work in the U.S.:
---
## 📺 Best Free Streaming Apps on Apple TV
### 1. **Tubi**
- Huge library of movies and TV shows.
- Backed by Fox, so the catalog is decent and refreshed often.
- 100% free, ad-supported.
### 2. **Pluto TV**
- Live “channel” experience plus on-demand shows/movies.
- Owned by Paramount, so you’ll see a lot of CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, etc.
- Also free with ads.
### 3. **Crackle**
- One of the oldest free streaming services.
- Good mix of classic TV shows, movies, and some originals.
### 4. **PBS**
- Free PBS shows, documentaries, and kids content.
- Some episodes are locked behind PBS Passport (paid), but plenty is free.
### 5. **Freevee (by Amazon)**
- Formerly IMDb TV.
- Good for movies, classic TV, and even some originals.
- Free, ad-supported.
### 6. **The Roku Channel**
- You don’t need a Roku device to watch.
- Mix of movies, TV shows, and live TV.
- Free with ads.
### 7. **Xumo Play**
- Focuses on live channels and news, but also has movies/shows.
- Another completely free, ad-supported option.
---
### 🔑 Tips for Keeping it “Free Only”
- Stick to the **dedicated tabs** inside these apps, rather than the “Watch Now” tab in Apple TV (which mixes in rentals).
- You can **hide subscription services** in Apple TV settings if they keep popping up things you don’t want.
- Add these free apps to your Apple TV home screen, so you can go straight to them.
---
👉 Want me to show you how to **hide or minimize the pay-per-view/rental stuff** inside the Apple TV app itself, so your “Watch Now” feed is less cluttered?
USER: How do I add, for example, PBS to the Apple TV home screen?
ASSISTANT: Got it 👍 — here’s how to get **PBS** (or any free app like Tubi/Pluto/etc.) onto your Apple TV home screen so it’s easy to launch:
---
## 🛠️ Step 1: Install the PBS App
1. On your Apple TV, open the **App Store** (blue icon with the “A”).
2. Use the search function (magnifying glass) and type **“PBS”**.
- The main one is just called **PBS Video**.
3. Select it, then click **Get** (it’s free).
---
## 🛠️ Step 2: Open It Once
- After installation, go to your home screen — the PBS app should appear at the **end** of your apps row.
- Open it once to make sure it works and signs in properly (you may need to activate it with a code on a PBS website if they ask, but that’s quick).
---
## 🛠️ Step 3: Move It to a Better Spot
1. On the Apple TV home screen, highlight the **PBS app icon**.
2. Press and hold the **touch surface / clickpad center** on your remote until the icon wiggles.
3. Now drag it to wherever you want on the screen.
- You can move it up to the top row for quick access.
4. Press the **Play/Pause button** if you want to drop it into a folder.
5. Press the **touch surface / clickpad again** to stop the wiggle when you’re done.
---
🎉 Now PBS will be sitting right on your Apple TV home screen, one click away.
---
👉 Do you want me to also walk you through **hiding Apple’s rental/store rows**, so that your Watch Now tab doesn’t keep shoving pay-per-view stuff at you?