During its nearly six years on the market, Apple TV+ has been referred to by some as “the new HBO.” But this year might be when Apple has truly started to prove that claim.Here’s why.Emmy nominations show Apple TV+ ahead in quality, while HBO boasts higher quantity Whatever your opinion of Apple TV+, it’s hard to dispute that 2025 has been an especially good year for the streamer.
Apple TV+ has achieved new levels of both mainstream awareness and critical success.It’s putting out consistently better content than before, and more people are watching.That’s why earlier this year I wrote that the streamer was truly earning its “new HBO” reputation.
And now, recent analysis of this year’s Emmy nominations supports the claim.Joe Reid writes at : Despite HBO and Netflix both scoring more nominations than Apple TV+ overall, Apple is clearly finding success with its “quality over quantity” strategy.Severance and The Studio favored to win two biggest awards As Reid spotlights, Severance and The Studio in particular are set up for huge success.
Severance scored 27 Emmy nominations, the most for any TV show this year from any studio.The Studio had 23 nominations, the most for any comedy this year.Both shows are favored to win in the two biggest categories: Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Comedy Series.
The last time that happened? HBO did it almost a decade ago.It’s not as though HBO is having a bad year.It actually scored a huge nomination haul, more than ever before.
But unlike Apple, those nominations aren’t expected to translate into a lot of wins in the categories that matter most.The abundance of HBO nominations is a noteworthy accomplishment.But if Apple TV+ pulls off the big wins it’s expected to, it would be the latest sign of beating HBO at its own game: quality over quantity.
Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.Best iPhone accessories AirPods Pro 2 (now only $199, down from $249) MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone HomeKit smart plug 4-pack 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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