Thanks. Candidly, the answer sounds and feels like a stock customer support answer, hence why I replied in the way I did. It’s not particularly helpful, but I appreciate the intention nevertheless.
I did find a way to solve the problem. There is clearly a problem with the Apple TV application when it tries to use an Apple device to authenticate the user - I don’t see a way this could have been caused by the hardware or TV system, so it’s on Apple to resolve. Here is the workaround:
- In the Apple TV app, sign in as usual
- Go to store and buy some random inexpensive movie, so that it registers a first purchase (I am not sure if this step is necessary, but I did it to try to get the app to stop asking for the authentication on an Apple device in future purchases - I recommend you skip this step first and if it doesn’t work then repeat the process including this step)
- Go to settings, then restrictions, then enable restrictions for purchases
- It will require you to type in a pin
- Go to the home screen and activate your 3-month free subscription. Instead of trying to authenticate through an Apple device, which will cause the connection error, it will ask your pin - type in your pin and it should hopefully work
Hope this helps, while (and if) Apple resolves the issue.