Update: Bloomberg is reporting that Apple will launch both the new video service and the news subscription service on March 25 at a services-focused event. The company has apparently invited big Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and director JJ Abrams to the event.
Original story follows.
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Apple’s much-awaited video streaming service could be going public in a couple of months time. CNBC is today reporting that Cupertino is targeting an April launch for its new video service, though it could end up launching the new service in early May, too.
Apple’s new video service will be available through the existing TV app in iOS. The service will offer original content from Apple, available for free to Apple device owners, as well as a platform that lets users subscribe to other digital services.
The idea behind the service is that you will be able to stream Apple’s own original content, and also have access to content from other shows and services like HBO. CNBC is reporting that Apple has so far managed to get CBS, Starz, and Viacom to join the “Channels” service on the platform, which allows users to subscribe to other services through Apple.
HBO is still in talks with Cupertino and could end up joining the service — however, the company isn’t getting a good deal from Apple, at least for now. In fact, Apple is apparently taking a 30% cut on the revenue generated by these channels, which is double the amount the company takes when users subscribe to services like HBO Now independently through the App Store.
Apple is pushing for a similar, aggressive revenue cut for its news subscription too, asking for a whopping 50% revenue cut from publishers.
On the original content front, Apple has managed to get some big names to start working on its original movies and shows. The company will reportedly offer its original content for free to Apple device owners, which is certainly going to be a huge benefit for those with an iPhone, an iPad, or an Apple TV.
The company still has a big problem ahead of itself — and that is, of course, Netflix. CNBC reports that Netflix won’t be available as a channel on Apple’s video streaming service, and considering that Netflix no longer allows iOS users to subscribe through the App Store to avoid paying the 15% revenue fee to Apple, that’s likely not going to change. Plus, Netflix has an unbeatable dominance on the streaming service market, and Apple will have a huge task ahead of itself once its own video streaming service does launch.
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#404666">In reply to red.radar:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I agree that it’s true that Netflix isn’t unassailable.</p><p><br></p><p>I disagree that Amazon is producing anywhere NEAR as much original content as Netflix. Frankly, Amazon has Mrs. Maisel, that “Nazis Won” show, and the one that might have gotten cancelled (?) after the lead was accused of groping his co-stars. And LotR show in the works. You can count on one hand their prestige original shows and then be hard pressed to name anything else.</p><p><br></p><p>Netflix outstrips them when it comes to the prestige shows — by a lot — and then it’s not even close if you add in the dozens of shows they make that cost a lot less but probably help pay for the other shows. </p><p><br></p><p>It’s good that you get what you need out of a service that is bundled with Prime (that’s different than free, btw) but it’s just not accurate to say they’re competing on a quantity level and subjectively, I would say it’s not even that close on a quality or acclaim level. Frankly, I think Amazon needs to hope for a new major hit soon.</p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#404704">In reply to red.radar:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Yeah. I did forget Grand Tour but as a massive Top Gear fan, it’s a pale shadow of what that show used to be.</p><p><br></p><p>But, anyway, you keep saying semi-sane things and then blowing the sanity up by claiming things like “Netflix only appeals to a narrow demographic.”</p><p><br></p><p>Which demographic is that?</p>
provision l-3
<p>To a certain extent how successful this will be is dependent on Apple. If they keep it on Apple platforms only then they will probably make a decent amount of money but will have a hard time getting to a Netflix level of popularity. If they open in it like Apple Music then they could likely do fairly well. I think the obvious advantage they have over netflix is being able to bundle Music+News+Video at a discounted rate. It would certainly give Apple and advantage over Netflix, Hulu and Spotify. </p>
dontbe evil
<p>apple fans are so excited to be milked even more from their beloved company</p>