For anyone who hasn’t yet seen Apple’s original series like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Severance and The Morning Show, you may want to reconsider your weekend plans.
The company announced on Monday that it’s offering free streaming of its original series and films on Apple TV Plus on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 4 and Jan. 5, with no required subscription. In a post shared on the X social media site, the Apple TV Plus account said: “This weekend, see for yourself.”
It’s possible Apple’s “weekend” may start on the early side. A separate press release from Apple on Monday gives the dates as Jan. 3-5 (even though the accompanying video says Jan. 4-5). So it seems the free showings may start at some point on Friday, possibly late in the day.
That followed a series of earlier posts that urged people to “save the date” and “stay tuned” in reference to the same dates.
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This move is likely part of an effort to attract more subscribers to its streaming platform in a market still crowded with competitors including Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Peacock and Max. Industry watchers for months have been predicting a shakeout and consolidation of streaming options.
Though Apple has never offered a full weekend of open access to Apple TV Plus before, it does occasionally provide free streaming of select content, such as the first episodes of some original series.
The company is also promoting a seven-day free trial for new subscribers, as well as extended trials with purchases of select hardware products. Subscriptions start at $10 a month.
Apple could be teasing the promotion ahead of new shows, too. It revealed its 2024 lineup in early February.
