New leader in the streaming wars

 

The streaming wars are alive and well. Once upon a time there was Netflix and Hulu, now there's more than a dozen options. Each of them tries to get subscribers with a content library and original content. But which is the best? That's a question that often fosters plenty of debate.

For me, there is a clear leader in the clubhouse, and it's Apple TV+. The streamer isn't the highest profile but it has quietly become the best purveyor of content. And, it's also one of the most affordable.

Apple TV+ is unique in that it doesn't offer a catalog of non-originals. That might dissuade some, who love the deep content benches for services like HBO Max, Paramount+, Hulu and Netflix. And there is something to be said for a solid content library, but if you don't have that you need to win with originals. And that's where Apple has the belt, and I don't think it's close.

When Apple began its life, it pinned a lot of hopes on The Morning Show, which boasted an en vogue concept and a top-notch cast. Those things are still true, but it has continued to turn out great originals. This year has seen an explosion of new and returning shows of all styles, and the quality has been impressive. Apple has four of my favorite shows of the year--Ted Lasso, Season 2, The Morning Show, Season 2, Schmigadoon!, and the leader in the clubhouse so far, For All Mankind, Season 2.

But it has yielded a number of other interesting originals, including the ambitious Foundation, now in progress, and coming series like Invasion and Swagger. They also brought back Jon Stewart with The Problem, a weekly news talk series that has been nothing short of fantastic.

But it's not just TV where Apple is showing its range but with film as well. The streamer has worked to acquire some interesting original pieces.

Apple has a pulled in a number of interesting documentaries over the past few years, including 2021 entries on 9/11, Billie Eilish and most recently Todd Haynes' film on The Velvet Underground. They also added a filmed version of the Broadway show Come From Away, which was a stirring tribute to 9/11.

In addition, Apple has a variety of interesting original scripted films. They had Palmer featuring Justin Timberlake, Cherry with Tom Holland and will offer the Tom Hanks film Finch in November. The streamer also has what is still my favorite film of the year, Coda, which was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

In short, Apple makes up for what it lacks in quantity with some great quality. For me, it has the belt in the streaming wars and it doesn't look like they plan on giving it up any time soon.