Apple TV launch: Everything we know about the highly anticipated streaming service so far

Anticipation is running high in the streaming industry as Apple gears up for a special event on Monday, March 25 at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California.

Although the tech giant hasn't confirmed what they are going to unveil come Monday, the rumors definitely point to the fact that this launch has everything to do with their highly anticipated streaming service. The company has so far successfully kept everything under wraps, so much so that the company is reportedly leaving producers and agents "blind" about its plans.

The event is said to be attended by the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, and JJ Abrams and will be held at Apple's Cupertino, California headquarters. The event was reportedly teased with the phrase: "It’s show time." Is this

Apple TV's future tagline? We aren't sure.

However, one thing that appears to be a certainity among producers and agents is that Apple being Apple can definitely pull off a shocker. Till we know what is actually happening at the Apple headquarters, here's everything we think we know about the streaming service.

When will it be available? 

While the rumor is that the event would be the launch of Apple's streaming service, Variety reported that it may not be available to us right away.  According to the report, we would definitely be getting more information about the service and that the company would be presenting a peek into its original content, that it spent more than $1 billion making. The publication's sources have claimed that the streaming service would only be available to those at home only sometime in the summer or the fall.

Will we get R-rated content? 

Apple has definitely spent a lot on the streaming service and, the market being as crowded as it is, it will definitely need content that will not just match, but win over the audience already acquired by the likes of Netflix. With Disney completing its Fox acquisition, Hulu would also potentially be entering the market with renewed vigor. Apple has been investing in original content since 2017, as WSJ reported, letting everyone know that this tech company is actually pretty serious about its entry into the entertainment business.

However, there may be a good reason to believe that the content will lean more towards family-friendly entertainment. 'Carpool Karaoke', that was bought by Apple in 2016, has already sobered down — the mentions of vaginal hygiene and foul language was cut down from the show.

The company also aimed to eliminate profanities from the content on Apple Music and even went on to shelve Dr. Dre's 'Vital Signs' because of it's "troubled" content. It's safe to say that we won't be seeing nipples just yet in 'Game of Thrones' fashion but perhaps more of comedies and dramas that strike a chord with a large family-oriented audience.

What shows will be on it? 

So far, we've got a confirmation for 'The Morning Show' that will feature Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, which will probably be your run-of-the-mill breakfast entertainment web series. A Deadline report described it as "an inside look at the lives of the people who help America wake up in the morning, exploring the unique challenges faced by the women (and men) who carry out this daily televised ritual". The show also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Steve Carell, and Billy Crudup — so it's safe to say that there's star power there. 

The original content also includes a biographical series called 'Dickinson' based on the life of poet Emily Dickinson. 'Pitch Perfect' star Hailee Steinfeld stars as Emily herself.

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V Gordon have also been roped in to tell the story of 'Little America' which is based on immigrant stories. 'Little Voices', a JJ Abrams and Sara Bareilles dramedy, along with 'Central Park', an animated musical comedy from 'Bob's Burgers' creator Loren Bouchard, will also be available on the new service.

Then there's the multi-year deal with the one and the only Oprah Winfrey. "Together, Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world," Winfrey's network said in a statement. "Winfrey’s projects will be released as part of a lineup of original content from Apple." It is unclear how much Apple spent as a part of the deal but the rewards could be phenomenal for the service. 

'Swagger', based on the life of basketball player Kevin Durant, is also lined up. It is to be written and directed by 'Notorious' Reggie Rock Bythewood.

As for crime, you'll have 'Are You Sleeping', which will be an adaptation of Kathleen Barber's novel of the same name. There's 'Elsewhere Shantaram' which is based on Gregory David Roberts' autobiographical novel that follows an Australian prison escapee heading for India.

Apple's sci-fi crowning glory will be a reboot of Steven Spielberg's 'Amazing Stories', and 'See' from 'Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight, and 'The Hunger Games' director Francis Lawrence. 'See' stars Jason Momoa. An untitled series from 'Battlestar Galactica's Ron Moore is also in the works.

How much will it cost? 

With this entire host of content, Apple clearly has this section down pat, but would audiences be swayed to subscribe to the service if it also cost big bucks?

Netflix and the likes are already winning when it comes to accessibility with the services being available on all devices. Rumor is that the tech giant could potentially give away its content free of cost at first, although that could change over time. 

The price of the service is speculated to be around $15 per month if Apple does decide to charge its customers. The company is known for its high-end products that more often than not come with a huge price tag as well.

If it does charge about $15 for its subscription, it would be much higher than the price Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu ask its viewers to cough up for their catalogue.