When Apple first entered the TV streaming market, it took a unique approach. The company wasn't focused on creating as much content as possible, launching Apple TV+ with just a few shows, for example. Likewise, his aspirations never seem to have translated into becoming a major streamer. Despite popular hits like Ted Lasso, the service is still relatively niche.
This was all fine because Apple focused on one thing: quality. We make the best of the best.
Some call TV+ the new HBO. At some point I would agree. Apple won the Best Picture Oscar for CODA, a prize that Netflix has never won before. Ted Lasso won back-to-back Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series. Of course, there were some failures (Amazing Stories, anyone?), but overall the service's first few years brought critical acclaim and established a strong reputation.
However, the service's recent focus on quality seems to have , has changed. lost ground.
Best days on Apple TV+
There was once a time when every new Apple TV+ show seemed worthy of attention. For me, the peak season for quality content was early 2022. Check out the following lineup of back-to-back releases from this time of year, each with its own Metacritic score:
- Severance: 83
- The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray: 75
- WeCrashed: 65
- Pachinko: 87
- Slow Horses: 82
Severance, Pachinko and Slow Horses are some of the best shows that ever created TV+. The weakest show in the group, WeCrashed, was still a lot of fun and was one of the highlights of the year for me.
It was these stellar successes that motivated me to watch every new show Apple released. While I don't think there have been such strong back-to-back results since then, there were enough hits to make up for the occasional miss. You can usually also tell which shows might be “below average” offerings by cutting back on Apple's marketing efforts.
Lately, however, misses have been popping up more often than hits, and often at significant cost to Apple. -backed by fanfare.
The current state of TV+ offers
Here are the new ones series that TV+ brought to us in early 2024, with ratings on Metacritic:
- Criminal Record: 73
- Masters of the Air: 72
- New Look: 62
- Constellation: 63
- The Completely Fictitious Adventures of Dick Turpin: 70
- Manhunt: 65
- Palm Royale: 57
- Sugar: 67
- Franklin: 57
This is in stark contrast to the start of 2022. .
To be clear, I'm not saying these shows are “bad.” However, with a couple of exceptions, they aren't that great overall either.
Palm Royale and Franklin are two that were particularly disappointing. Not just because they have the lowest critical ratings. They both have big budgets, big stars and big marketing momentum. They are currently the face of TV+. And they're both mediocre.
I want Apple TV+ to live up to its reputation and provide reliable, quality content. But now he doesn't.
What's the problem?
One of the main reasons could be strikes in Hollywood in 2023. Writer and actor strikes continued for much of 2023, severely limiting the flow of new content Apple could fund. It's hard to say exactly how much of an impact the strikes have had on the quality of TV+ content, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case.
Best Commentary by Will James
The Big Door Prize is an absolutely amazing show, and I see that you haven't mentioned it at all here. I would put him on par with Ted Lasso, if not better. In fact, the second season is better than the first, and it is currently running. How about… don't count your chickens until they hatch?
PS
I'm looking forward to the third season of Slow Horses, the second season of Monarch, and to be honest, Mr. Shankly, I think you In writers' strikes of the past, the animosity is extremely strong.
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It is also possible that increasing the number of products makes it more difficult to maintain quality. Today, Apple not only regularly introduces new series, but also constantly releases new seasons of existing shows. Whatever creative forces at Apple are tasked with overseeing quality, their hands may be busier than ever before.
In any case, if Apple wants to grow TV+ and strengthen its reputation as a source of prestige content , he has some work to do.
The further we move from the successes of Ted Lasso, CODA, Severance and Silo, the more Apple TV+, unless changes are made, will become just another player in a crowded streaming package with little to stand out.
What do you think? Are you watching less TV+ content than before? Let us know in the comments
