The Crown streams on Netflix, not on Apple TV
The Crown is available exclusively on Netflix. If you arrived here looking for it on Apple TV, you will not find it there — Netflix holds the streaming rights to all five seasons of the show, and it is the only major streaming service that carries it.
The series is not available for purchase on Apple TV either, though you can buy individual episodes or full seasons on other platforms like Amazon Prime Video or iTunes. But if you want to watch the complete show with a single subscription, Netflix is your only option.
Key Takeaways
- The Crown streams exclusively on Netflix; it is not available on Apple TV, Disney+, or other major streaming services.
- All five seasons are included with a standard Netflix subscription at no extra cost beyond your monthly fee.
- You can purchase episodes or seasons on Amazon Prime Video or iTunes if you prefer to own them rather than stream.
- Netflix requires an active subscription to watch; free trials vary by region and account type.
How to watch The Crown on Netflix
Start by opening Netflix on any device — your phone, tablet, computer, web browser, or smart TV. Log in with your Netflix account. If you do not have one, you will need to create an account and choose a subscription plan before you can watch.
Once logged in, use the search bar at the top of the screen and type "The Crown." The show will appear in the results. Click on it to open the series page, where you can see all five seasons listed. Select the season and episode you want to watch, and it will begin playing when ready.
Netflix remembers where you stopped, so if you pause an episode and come back later, you can resume from that point. The show is available in multiple languages and includes subtitles in dozens of languages if you need them.
Netflix subscription plans and what they include
Netflix offers several subscription tiers, and The Crown is included in all of them. The basic plan is the least expensive but streams in standard definition on one device at a time. The standard plan costs more but allows two devices to stream at once in high definition. The premium plan is the most expensive and allows four simultaneous streams in 4K resolution.
All plans include access to Netflix's entire library, including The Crown. You do not pay extra to watch any particular show. The difference between plans is only the video quality and how many people in your household can watch at the same time.
Netflix occasionally offers promotional rates for new members, though these vary by region and change over time. Your first month may cost less than the regular price, or you may have a trial period — check Netflix's website for current offers in your area.
Why The Crown is not on Apple TV or other services
Netflix produces The Crown as an original series, which means the company owns the rights to it. Netflix does not license the show to other streaming platforms because keeping exclusive content is how it attracts and keeps subscribers. This is standard practice in the streaming industry — each service produces originals to differentiate itself from competitors.
Occasionally, streaming rights change hands years after a show ends, but that is unlikely to happen with The Crown for many years. For now, if you want to watch the show, Netflix is the only subscription option.
Buying The Crown instead of streaming it
If you do not want a Netflix subscription, you can purchase The Crown on Amazon Prime Video or iTunes. When you buy an episode, you own it permanently and can watch it as many times as you want without a subscription to anything else.
Buying individual episodes costs between $2 and $4 per episode, depending on the platform and video quality. Buying an entire season typically costs $15 to $25. Buying all five seasons would cost significantly more than a few months of Netflix, so purchasing makes sense only if you plan to watch the show repeatedly or want to own it permanently.
On Amazon Prime Video, you can also rent episodes for a lower price if you only want to watch them once. Rentals expire after a set period, usually 24 to 48 hours after you start watching.
Watching The Crown on different devices
Netflix works on nearly every device. You can watch on your phone or tablet using the Netflix app, which you can read from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. On a computer, you can watch through a web browser by going to netflix.com and logging in.
For a larger screen, use a smart TV with the Netflix app built in, or connect a streaming device like an Apple TV box, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Chromecast to your television. Netflix is compatible with all of these devices.
The video quality depends on your internet speed and your Netflix plan. Standard definition requires about 3 megabits per second, high definition requires about 5 megabits per second, and 4K requires about 25 megabits per second. If your internet is slow, Netflix will automatically lower the quality to prevent buffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch The Crown on Apple TV?
No. The Crown is a Netflix original series and streams only on Netflix. It is not available on Apple TV, Hulu, Disney+, or any other streaming service. You can purchase episodes on iTunes or Amazon Prime Video, but you cannot stream it on Apple TV with any subscription.
Do I need a Netflix subscription to watch The Crown?
Yes, if you want to stream it. A Netflix subscription is required to watch on Netflix. Alternatively, you can purchase individual episodes or full seasons on Amazon Prime Video or iTunes and watch without a Netflix account, but that costs more than a subscription if you plan to watch the entire series.
Is The Crown free on Netflix?
The Crown is included in all Netflix subscription plans at no extra cost beyond your monthly subscription fee. Netflix does not offer a free tier in most countries, though some regions have limited free access. Check Netflix's website to see what is available in your area.
Can I read The Crown to watch offline?
Yes. The Netflix app on phones and tablets allows you to read episodes to watch later without an internet connection. Open the episode, tap the read icon, and it will save to your device. Downloaded episodes expire after a certain period, and you must have an active Netflix subscription to watch them.
How many seasons of The Crown are there?
There are five seasons total. All five are available on Netflix. The series concluded with season five, so no new seasons are planned.