Another price hike. It feels like just yesterday Apple TV+ was the affordable, quality alternative, but now it’s just another bill creeping up. They bumped the price to $9.99 a month in late 2023, a significant jump that left a lot of us blindsided. And you're not imagining the frustration. While Apple as a whole gets a dismal 1.8 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot, many of the recent complaints across forums focus on these subscription hikes and billing issues. Over on Consumer Affairs, users frequently mention the frustration of services auto-renewing at higher prices without what they feel is adequate warning. It’s a classic bait-and-switch, where the introductory price hooks you before the real cost kicks in, and frankly, it’s exhausting.
Best Ways to Lower Your Apple TV Bills
| Lowering Bill Method | Ease of Action | Why use this method |
|---|---|---|
| Switch to an Annual Plan | Easy | Saves you about two months' worth of fees over the year. It's a one-time payment that locks in the price. |
| Bundle with Apple One | Easy | If you already use Apple Music, iCloud, or Arcade, bundling them is almost always cheaper than paying separately. |
| Check Carrier or Device Promotions | Tricky | Carriers like T-Mobile sometimes offer Apple TV+ for free. Buying a new iPhone or iPad also nets you a few free months. |
| Cancel and Resubscribe Strategically | Easy | Apple TV+ drops all its episodes for many shows at once. You can subscribe for one month, binge, and cancel. |
| Use the Student Plan | Easy | If you're a student, the Apple Music Student Plan is only $5.99 and includes Apple TV+ for free. It's a steal. |
Step-by-step Guide on Lowering Your Apple TV Bill After Complaining
1 Identify and review the bill
Ugh, another email receipt. Go into your iPhone's Settings, tap your name, then 'Subscriptions' to see the exact charge and renewal date. Don't let them hide the details.
2 Consider downgrading your plan
If you're on a pricey Apple One Premier plan, do you really need News+ and Fitness+? Downgrade to a cheaper bundle that still includes Apple TV+ to save some cash.
3 Removing add ons
Did you sign up for Paramount+ or AMC+ through the Apple TV app and forget? Those are separate charges. Go to your subscriptions and slash anything you don't watch.
4 Look for promotions and offers
Apple is always trying to lure you in. Check your carrier (T-Mobile is good for this) or see if any of your credit cards offer streaming credits. It's annoying, but worth a look.
5 Check for Student, Military, or Low-Income Discounts
The student discount is the most well-known, bundling Apple Music and TV+ for cheap. Other discounts are rare, but it never hurts to check their support pages for any new programs.
6 Use Family Sharing to Split the Cost
Are you paying for a subscription someone else in your family already has? Set up Family Sharing to share one subscription across six people. It's a simple way to cut redundant costs.
🔍 How to Negotiate for a Lower Bill with Apple TV
Your Goal:
Get clarity on a price increase or request a refund for an accidental renewal.
The Script:
Hello, I'm calling because I noticed an unexpected price increase on my Apple TV+ subscription. My latest bill was $9.99, up from $6.99, and I don't recall seeing a clear notification about this change. I've been a loyal user for a while now, and this sudden jump is concerning. Could you please explain the charge? Also, are there any promotions or alternative plans available to help me manage this new cost? I'd like to keep the service, but the current price is making me reconsider.
Key Phrases to Use:
- "Unexpected price increase"
- "Didn't receive notification"
- "Long-time customer"
- "Considering my options"
- "Any available promotions"
What to Do if Support Can't Help
- Politely end the conversation and just cancel the service directly through your device's settings.
- Check for third-party deals. Sometimes retailers like Best Buy offer free trials with certain purchases.
- Vote with your wallet. Cancel and switch to a competitor for a few months.
Best Alternatives to Apple TV
Sometimes, no amount of negotiating is worth the headache. If you've had enough of Apple TV's price hikes and poor service, you have options. Here are a few of the top competitors people are switching to:
| Competitor | Why it's Better Alternative to Apple TV | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu | For users who want next-day access to current TV shows from networks like ABC, NBC, and Fox. | Offers a great bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+. The ad-supported plan is one of the cheapest streaming options available. |
| Netflix | For users who want the largest library of original movies and series, with a constant stream of new content. | Unmatched variety and a powerful recommendation algorithm. It's the default streaming service for a reason. |
| Max | For users who prioritize prestige, high-budget dramas, and a solid movie catalog from Warner Bros. | Home to HBO, DC, and Discovery content. The quality of its top-tier shows is consistently high. |
Consider the following before leaving Apple TV
- Check Your Bundles: If you cancel Apple TV+, will it mess up your Apple One subscription? Make sure you're only canceling what you intend to.
- Family Sharing Access: Give your family a heads-up. If you're the organizer of a Family Sharing group, canceling will remove access for everyone.
- You Can Always Come Back: There's no penalty for canceling and resubscribing later. Feel free to take a break for a few months and come back when a show you want to see is released.
- Purchased Content: Canceling the subscription doesn't affect movies or shows you've purchased through Apple. You'll still own those.
Let Pine AI Help Lower Your Apple TV Bill
Feeling tired of tracking yet another subscription? It's a pain. That's where something like Pine AI can step in. Imagine not having to remember when your Apple TV+ trial ends or when the next price hike is scheduled to hit. Pine AI can monitor your bills for you, flagging those sneaky increases the moment they happen. It can even help you draft a cancellation request or a negotiation script tailored to your situation. Instead of spending your time navigating confusing support pages, you can let an AI handle the grunt work. It's about taking back control of your subscriptions without adding another chore to your list. Let it find the deals, track the dates, and help you decide if a service is still worth your money.
Frequently Asked Questions When Trying to Lower Your Apple TV Bill
What if Apple TV doesn't lower my TV Streaming bill?
Should I email rather than phone to complain about my TV Streaming bill costs?
What's the easiest way to contact Apple TV TV Streaming?
What is the average Apple TV TV Streaming monthly bill?
Why did my Apple TV TV Streaming bill suddenly increase this month?
How to get a discount on my Apple TV TV Streaming bill?
What promotions does Apple TV offer to lower bills?
Chloe Anne-Bennett
Streaming & Entertainment Editor
Chloe Anne-Bennett is the Streaming & Entertainment Editor at Pine AI. Chloe is a leading voice on the business of streaming, entertainment and the evolving landscape of digital media. Before contributing to Pine AI, Chloe was an entertainment correspondent for a major news outlet, where she reported on everything from box office trends to the impact of streaming services on traditional media. At Pine AI, Chloe leverages her deep industry knowledge to provide our readers with insightful analysis of the latest trends, helping them make sense of their subscriptions and where to hit the sweet spots in how to handle customer service reps.
