Apple TV’s Rebranding Signals the Conclusion of the “Plus” Era

If you’ve ever struggled to explain the difference between Apple TV and Apple TV+ to someone, hang on tight – because things just got a little more confusing. In a surprise move, Apple recently rebranded its subscription video on demand (SVOD) service Apple TV+ as simply “Apple TV”. While Apple claims this change is meant to give the streamer a fresh new look, it’s hard not to feel like we’re losing a little something with that plus sign gone.

The news of the rebrand came in a press release announcing the premiere date (Dec. 12) for an F1 movie starring Brad Pitt. For now, the main Apple streaming app still displays the Apple TV+ name, so don’t panic if you’re feeling a bit puzzled.

But here’s the twist – Apple TV is already a thing. Since 2007, it’s been the name of Apple’s gadget that turns a regular TV into a smart TV, helping you access all your favorite streaming platforms. So, as of now, you can watch Ted Lasso on Apple TV using Apple TV. Confusing, right?

What does this rebrand mean for the future of Apple TV? Could we see a new, ad-supported plan on the horizon? Apple TV+ is one of the few big streaming services that doesn’t offer a cheaper version supported by ads, so maybe a change is coming. Stay tuned for updates!