“Potentially ending months of speculation surrounding Apple’s planned pricing policy for Apple TV+, Apple CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday hinted that the upcoming original content service will be available on a subscription basis,” Mikey Campbell reports for AppleInsider.
“Fielding questions on Apple’s recent push into services during an investor conference call, Cook likened Apple TV+ to an over-the-top product similar to those offered by major networks and content holders,” Campbell reports. “‘The TV+ product plays in a market where there’s a huge move from the cable bundle to over-the-top,’ Cook said. ‘We think that most users are going to get multiple over-the-top products and we’re going to do our best to convince them that the Apple TV+ product should be one of them.'”
“Rumors claimed the TV+ would be a free, value-added service available to Apple device owners through the new TV app,” Campbell reports. “Judging by Cook’s statements [yesterday], it appears Apple TV+ will instead be listed as a for-pay subscription solution…”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Listening to Cook’s comments yesterday, it sure seems like Apple TV+ will have a monthly cost. Our hope remains that Apple will offer bundles of services that are attractively-priced. Those who choose some combination of Apple Music, Apple News+, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, iCloud storage, etc. will get a lower price when bundled than if they subscribed to each service separately.
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s original content: Free to owners of Apple devices – March 18, 2019
Analyst: Apple is planning to give billions of dollars in video content away for free – March 18, 2019
Apple plans to give away original content for free to device owners as part of new digital TV strategy – October 10, 2018
I read that as fore play.
Not surprising it’s going to cost, Apple is probably going to end up spending as much as Netflix does in a year, it doesn’t make sense to just give it away.
I suspect they will announce an Apple+ bundle in the autumn when we finally get all their services, there’s no need to announce it right now and give the competition a leg up.
Obviously TV+ gets all the attention but I think it’s main job is simply to attract people to Apple’s TV app. Along with the new Channels feature (same as Amazon’s Prime Channels) it makes the TV app a far better place to get and watch all of your content in one place.
TV+ will probably grow to a reasonable subscriber base, just like AppleMusic, anything else will just be a bonus for Apple.
I know it’s missing some big content providers but if the TV app really takes off, those provides will eventually have to come on board simply because that’s where the viewers will be.
Apple is in this for the long run, the sheer amount of talent and investment Apple is putting into this will probably mean in fives years things will look very different. We’ll be a long way away from Car Pool Karaoke and Planet of the Apps, I think in many ways we already are.
Apple has been reported to spend $1B on their Apple TV+ content. Netflix has recently been reported that they will be spending over $17B for 2019. Assuming Disney+ stops allowing Netflix to stream their content, that only returns $600M/yr to their expenditure.
In the end Apple TV+ success may well come down to pricing. Disney+ will be $6.99/month. Amazon Video breaks down to about $10/month if it were the only value you get from Amazon Prime.
What will Apple TV+ price at?
I do not like this new subscription world that has emerged. Talk about be careful what you wish for. Let’s see… there will be Apple and HBO NOW, and Hulu, and Direct Now, and CBS all access, and Amazon Prime, and DC Comics, and Disney, and the CW, and Showtime, and YouTube, and BBC, and Fox, and so on.
Add to this that Apple wants me to pay every app developer a subscription so that Apple can scrape their 30% off every month and it gets even more ridiculous.
It’s gotten to the point where if is see the words, “In App Purchases,” or “Subscription,” I move on. I’m not subscribing to a text editor for crying out loud.
On top of this they keep badgering me to subscribe to their news service.
This has had the effect of making me audit my checking account and credit cards and get rid of all subscription services except for Netflix. I will continue to use Netflix, and when something interesting becomes available on iTunes, I might buy it there but I’m not falling into the blood sucking pit of subscription hell.
At this point, after you die they’re going to want a subscription fee for your grave.
And mark my words, Apple hardware subscriptions are coming.
Methinks you doth protest too much as you’ve already admitted that you subscribe to Netflix. So climb off your high (moral) high horse and admit “I’m just too cheap”
No ritchie, it is you who are wrong. I don’t like much of what TM says but one thing I have been saying for the last 30 some odd years is that there will be too many “subscriptions” for the average person to afford.
That is coming to fruition quickly.
Not only will there be too many to afford but you will wonder why you are keeping that HULU account when all you really want it for is Handmaids Tale. Like me. In effect, I am paying 100 dollars a year for when it does come back with a new season. IF it does come back like so many show don’t in todays world.
LOL.
Wells Fargo even advertises that as a feature of their bank. They will let you know about all the recurring fees you are paying for so you know which ones to cancel.
theloniousmac, your Netflix sub fee is going into Obama’s pocket now, to produce liberal propaganda.
Cancel Netflix ASAP.
Jeebus cripes on a popsicle stick. A mind so limited and hateful you dug this from deep in your ass to try to be what. publicly stupid and hateful.
Here is something for you. Get a life beyond your hate.