Apple TV Plus just got more expensive in the United States, with the monthly plan now set at $12.99. Apple cites a growing slate of ad-free originals and live offerings as the service matures, but what does this mean for value, sports, devices, and your subscription options in 2025? This USA-focused guide pulls together all the verified updates—plus a quick reality check on what Apple TV+ does (and doesn’t) include for sports fans.
What Changed in August 2025
- U.S. monthly price: Apple raised Apple TV+ from $9.99 to $12.99/month. The change applies immediately for new subscribers; existing accounts see the new rate after their next renewal window.
- Annual plan & Apple One: The annual TV+ plan and Apple One bundle pricing remain unchanged at the time of the increase—making both comparatively better value if you plan to stay long-term.
- Why the bump? Apple continues to invest in originals (series, films, sports rights) while keeping Apple TV+ ad-free. Industry reporting also notes Apple TV+ still runs at a loss, which price hikes may partly address.
External source for the price change and unchanged annual/Apple One: Reuters — Apple boosts Apple TV+ to $12.99
Canada: A Straightforward $2 CAD Increase
North of the border, Apple TV+ rose by $2 CAD, now listed at $14.99 CAD/month. Apple’s Canadian pages and local coverage reflected the new price right away. For many Canadian households on Apple One, the bundle’s unchanged rate can offset the increase if you also want Music, Arcade, and iCloud.
Sports on Apple TV+: What’s Included—and What Isn’t
Confusion is common because the Apple TV app aggregates sports from different providers. Here’s the clean breakdown:
- Included with Apple TV+: Apple promotes Friday Night Baseball as part of TV+ (availability varies by season/region). If you see MLB games in the TV app’s Sports tab tagged with the Apple TV+ badge, those are included as part of your subscription.
- Separate subscription inside the Apple TV app: MLS Season Pass is an add-on with every MLS match and Leagues Cup; Apple TV+ members typically get a discount, but it’s not bundled into the base TV+ fee.
- UFC & most boxing: not part of Apple TV+. Fans usually stream via third-party apps (e.g., UFC’s own app or services like DAZN) that run on Apple TV devices or within the Apple TV app as standalone channels, often at extra cost and sometimes pay-per-view.
Bottom line: Apple TV+ doesn’t make UFC, boxing, or “all football” magically free. It does include select MLB coverage and offers a seamless in-app path to buy MLS, with other sports available through separate subscriptions.
Devices and Access: Now on Android Phones, Too
Beyond Apple hardware and smart TVs, the big 2025 change is that the Apple TV app is now on Android phones and tablets via Google Play. That means you can sign up and stream Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass on Android, download for offline viewing, and use watchlists and “continue watching” across platforms. If you avoided TV+ because you didn’t carry an iPhone, that barrier’s gone.
What You’re Paying For: Library Snapshot in 2025
Apple TV+ launched lean but prestige-heavy; in 2025, it’s built out a broader shelf without pivoting to licensed back catalog sprawl. The pitch remains fewer, bigger originals, weekly debuts, and technical polish (4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, high bit-rates). On the series side, Severance, Slow Horses, The Morning Show, and new hits like Presumed Innocent anchor the evergreen lane, while Apple Original Films keeps pushing theatrical-first projects that later stream on TV+.
Foundation’s Big Lore Swing: The Mule Reimagined
If you’re here for sci-fi, the current Foundation season made waves by reframing the Mule’s origin and role in the saga. The adaptation leans harder into psychological and political tension, with showrunners using the Mule’s mind-control power to challenge Hari Seldon’s assumptions and push the story into fresh territory for longtime Asimov readers.
For Apple TV+, it’s a signature example of the “premium-originals” thesis behind the service—and a reminder of where your subscription dollars go.
Is Apple TV Plus Worth $12.99 Now?
That depends on how you subscribe and what you watch:
- Annual plan hedge: If you’re in the ecosystem for shows like Severance or for tent-pole films, the unchanged annual price can smooth out the monthly hike.
- Bundle math: Apple One hasn’t moved price alongside TV+—so if you’re already paying for iCloud, Music, or Arcade, the bundle may be cheaper than à-la-carte.
- Sports angle: MLB on TV+ sweetens the pot for baseball fans. MLS Season Pass is separate, but Apple TV+ subs generally get a discount—nice if your household watches a lot of soccer.
- Occasional viewer strategy: Rotate. Sign up when seasons of your favorites drop (or when a specific film finishes theatrical and lands on TV+), then pause.
Competitors, Context, and the “Why Now?”
Apple TV+ isn’t alone—several streamers escalated prices in 2024–2025. Apple’s move tracks the industry and arrives as analysts peg TV+ at a smaller base than Netflix/Disney+, with reporting that Apple still runs TV+ at an annual loss exceeding $1 billion. Practically, Apple is paying for exclusive originals, big-ticket movies, live sports windows, and a clean, ad-free experience. For subscribers who prize those qualities, the higher monthly price may be acceptable; for library grazers chasing the largest catalogs, it’s a tougher sell unless the bundle math wins out.
FAQ
Did Apple also raise the annual TV+ price? No—the monthly plan rose to $12.99, while the annual plan and Apple One bundles were left unchanged at the time of the increase.
Is Apple TV Plus ad-free? Yes. Apple TV+ remains ad-free, which is part of why it’s priced higher than some streamers’ ad-supported tiers.
Can I watch UFC or boxing on Apple TV+? Not as part of TV+. You can install apps (UFC, DAZN, etc.) on Apple TV hardware or access them via the Apple TV app, but those require separate subscriptions or PPV.
Is Apple TV+ on Android phones? Yes. The Apple TV app launched on Android in February 2025, so you can subscribe and stream on Android phones and tablets.
What about Foundation season updates? Recent coverage highlights how season 3 reimagines the Mule’s backstory and challenges Seldon’s assumptions—one of the show’s boldest swings.
Takeaways for U.S. Subscribers
- If you’re month-to-month, consider switching to the annual plan or Apple One, since both didn’t rise with the new $12.99 price.
- If you’re a sports fan, remember: MLB on TV+ is included when offered; MLS Season Pass is separate (with a discount for TV+ members). UFC/boxing typically require separate apps/subscriptions.
- If you’re platform-agnostic, the new Android app means TV+ no longer requires Apple hardware.
Bottom Line
Apple TV Plus has moved to $12.99/month in the U.S., with Canada now at $14.99 CAD. The annual plan and Apple One bundles currently hold the line, shifting the best-value calculus toward longer commitments or bundles if you’re a regular viewer. The sports picture remains nuanced—baseball included when available, MLS sold separately, and combat sports outside TV+, but the app’s unified experience (now on Android as well) makes following your shows and teams easier than before. If Apple can keep delivering buzzy series, theatrical-grade films, and distinctive sci-fi like Foundation, the premium, ad-free positioning can still make sense—especially if you optimize how you subscribe.
