Is Apple TV (subscription) a rip off in both the US & Canada?

Is there also a large disparity in content made for Japanese speakers?

I think generally producers want to budget shows to make a profit off of the North American market. Anything other regions buy is only extra profit, so it's priced for them to be able to buy it if they're interested.

Yes

Only ever used the free 3-month trials, about 3-4 times and maybe once or twice it was just for a month. They've stopped doing them for the most part, or no longer work on account that used the offer despite it being a "new" offer after previous one had expired long time ago. Reeflagdeals forum was full of people who just used that, but ofc that a limited amount of users.

Now I just get their shit for free _elsewhere_ instead.

Some telecom providers will bundle a few services together into a better deal, but it's till overpriced. Best we had gotten was prime, Netflix and Disney bundles for 12 CAD. Apple instead of one of them (prime I think?) was 15. Al basic with adverts of but cheaper than regular payments. Once that expires, it's back to full time sailing.

What do competing services cost? In the US, Apple TV+ is similar in cost to other services
- Apple TV+ $12.99
- Disney+ $9.99
- Netflix $7.99-$24.99

How long has it been released in your country? I believe it was $5 here too when it first started, to create a customer base

Edit: I believe Apple TV+ is for all family members whereas Netflix you have to get one of the more expensive plans. I’ll have to check their definition of family because both prime and Netflix decided my kids were no longer family when they turned 18

Also worth noting that the price of Apple TV should be compared to ad-free tiers of other streaming services, since they have no ad-supported tier.

(Prices per month in USD)

Apple TV: $12.99
Disney+ Ad-Free: $18.99
Netflix Ad-Free: $19.99
HBO Ad-Free: $18.49
* Amazon Ad-Free: $19.98

The same things are less in JP:
- Apple TV: ¥900 ($5.60)
- Disney+ Ad-Free: ¥1250 ($7.85)
- Netflix Ad-Free: ¥1590 ($10.00)
- Amazon Ad-Free: ¥390 ($2.45)

There's no HBO in Japan so that's out of the picture, also it's weird that Japanese Netflix is HALF of the US price. (That's because the _yen_ is weak making it appear cheaper than it should). Also, why is ad free Amazon expensive in the US while in Japan that is closely priced the same as an onigiri for 400 yen at a konbini.