[walterbell]

Apple offers refunds for unwanted digital purchases, and this description in Apple TV app:

  When you purchase access to this item, you can permanently download it to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC. Once downloaded, you can access this without an internet connection, and Apple can't remove it from your device.

[Gormo]

Wait, so it's actually a standalone, DRM-free download? If that's the case, then while the term is still somewhat misleading, it's considerably less so than I assumed.

[walterbell]

Not DRM free, but unlike most streaming services Apple TV will download purchased media via different countries or VPNs and has no time limit to watch the download. In practice, it "just works". Buying all 4 seasons individually would be 4x$13=$52.

[theK]

I don't see how it qualifies as a legitimate download or ownership. You cannot save the file to a disk you control and you have no way to ensure you have continued access to it. Apple or the IP holder can cause this "download" to dissapear from your device/account without prior warning. Its actually written in the terms.

[walterbell]

Is a monthly subscription better? Few are willing to buy and rip physical media.

[theK]

That's a problem for the "many" then to sort out. Everyone else that wants to own their media just uses Automatic Ripping Machine.