Streaming TV

Looking for live news on the Apple TV? Apple has added a dedicated news section to its TV app, which appears on tvOS as well as iOS devices. Owners of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch can easily access a variety of live news sources, streaming video and coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The TV app helps to consolidate content from a variety of third-party streaming apps.

Hulu fans can consolidate more streaming content thanks to a deal between Hulu and HBO. Subscribers to Hulu with any monthly plan can add Cinemax to their package for $9.99 or HBO for $14.99. This matches the pricing for HBO's stand alone HBO Now app, which brings all of the network's content to mobile devices.

Universal search on the fourth-generation Apple TV continues to improve. The latest enhancement brings multiple new channels into the mix, providing an easy way to find content anywhere with a single question to Siri. Nine new channels are taking advantage of the feature, including History, Food Network, Travel Channel, Lifetime, and A&E.

Apple TV fans are still waiting for a live streaming package, which failed to materialize last year despite rumors of ongoing negotiations with content providers. Even as Apple continues to pursue such a subscription package, a new Live Tune-In feature has been added to tvOS 9.2. Live Tune-In combines certain apps that provide a live stream with Siri, to offer instant live viewing of supported channels.

Two years ago, Netflix froze pricing for existing HD users at $7.99 per month. These rates are set to expire in February, ending the grandfathered pricing plan. This means all Netflix users will have to start paying $9.99 per month, or downgrade their plans. Currently, the standard plan for $9.99 includes HD video and allows two different screens to be watched simultaneously. The downgraded basic plan comes at $7.99, however HD video is not available and only one screen can be watched at a time.