Apple TV show purchases finally get free 4K upgrades

Apple is finally bringing its free 4K upgrade policy to select TV show purchases, extending one of the Apple TV Store’s biggest customer perks beyond movies for the first time.

Apple hasn’t announced the rollout, but the change first surfaced after Apple TV researcher Sigmund Judge identified dozens of eligible series that were automatically upgraded to 4K at no extra cost. The initial rollout includes nearly 50 series spanning dramas, documentaries, reality shows, and children’s programming.

The upgraded versions currently appear in standard dynamic range rather than HDR or Dolby Vision. At least one of those titles, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” now displays a 4K badge on its Apple TV Store page, confirming the rollout is live.

According to Judge, the current list of eligible TV shows includes:

• Aerial Australia
• Aftertaste Season 1
• American Magik Season 1
• Auto Exotica Season 2
• The Basement Talks Season 1
• Black, Brilliant, and Bold Season 1
• Blossoms Shanghai Season 1
• Bong Zombies Season 1
• Building Nations Season 1
• Car & Country Quest Season 1
• Changing of the Gods Season 1
• Chasing the Tide Season 1
• Claire-ity Season 1
• Clash of Dynasties: St. Edward vs. Walsh Jesuit
• The Coroner’s Assistant Season 1
• Drink: A Look Inside the Glass Season 1
• The Envoy (Pilot)
• The Eternal White Season 1
• Extreme Airport Africa Season 2
• Founder Season 1
• Gatherings Season 1
• Gentle and Lowly Video Study Season 1
• Guerrera Season 1
• Gus Plus Us Season 1
• Heated Rivalry Season 1
• Honor Guard Season 1
• Hunting to Save the Rhinos Season 1
• The Hunting Wives Season 1
• Ice Airport Alaska Season 5
• Killer Whales Season 2
• Legacy Makers Season 1
• Mad Men Seasons 1-7
• Missionary: Obeying the Great Commission Season 1
• My Name is Anxiety Season 1
• Office Joe Season 1
• Perfect Sweat Season 1
• Q: Into the Storm
• The Religion Business and the Nonprofit Goliath Season 1
• Rich Africans Season 1
• RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 5
• The RVers Seasons 3-4
• Selling Superman Season 1
• Sexpectations Season 1
• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1
• That’s Wine Season 1
• Third Shift
• Tractor Ted Season 3
• The Twilight Zone (reboot) Season 1
• The Wingfeather Saga Season 2

The move builds on a policy Apple introduced when it launched 4K movies through the iTunes Store in 2017. Customers who had previously bought eligible films in HD automatically received 4K versions once studios made them available without paying again.

Over the years, Apple has also upgraded many eligible purchases to include Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and other enhancements as those formats became available.

TV shows are finally getting the same treatment

Apple never offered free 4K upgrades for TV show purchases. Even when studios released 4K versions of a series, customers who had already bought the HD edition continued receiving the original version.

The rollout of the upgrades is still limited. Judge’s list includes titles from CBS Studios, AMC, BBC, and several independent distributors. The upgrades don’t appear to cover the entire Apple TV catalog, nor all the seasons of a show.

Apple also hasn’t explained how titles are being selected or whether future 4K releases will automatically upgrade existing purchases. Television rights are licensed on a series-by-series basis and Apple can only distribute the formats that studios and distributors make available.

Even so, the change is positive. Instead of asking customers to buy the same show again to watch it in a higher resolution, Apple is starting to extend the same long-term upgrade policy it has offered movie buyers for years.

It’s still unclear how broadly Apple will expand the program. Wider support would further strengthen one of the biggest advantages of buying TV shows through the Apple TV Store.