Apple TV+ Pricing, Content Plans Leak

Separate reports reveal more details about Apple TV+, the coming video streaming service, ahead of its November launch.

First up, pricing, which comes courtesy of Bloomberg. The publication reports that Apple TV+ will cost $9.99 per month after a free trial. Bloomberg also notes that the service will start small, with just a selection of shows, and then expand more dramatically throughout 2020.

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Interestingly, Apple will apparently experiment with different release strategies with different shows as well.

“The company is considering offering the first three episodes of some programs, followed by weekly installments, people familiar with the matter said,” the Bloomberg report notes. “Netflix tends to release whole seasons at once for bingeing, while AT&T’s HBO and Disney’s Hulu often release episodes weekly. The [Apple TV+] service will launch globally in over 150 countries.”

Separately, The Financial Times reported that Apple has earmarked $6 billion for original shows and other content. That’s a big change from Apple’s originally-stated $1 billion. By comparison, Netflix will spend about $15 billion this year on original content.

“The company has spent hundreds of millions of dollars alone on a star-studded series featuring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell called The Morning Show, the publication reports. “According to people familiar with the matter, that amounts to a higher price per episode than Game of Thrones, which reportedly cost $15 million for each episode of its final season.”

The Financial Times also reports that Apple will now release Apple TV+ earlier than expected in order to “pre-empt” Disney’s Disney Plus service. Disney Plus is expected to debut in the US on November 12.

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  • lvthunder

    Premium Member
    20 August, 2019 - 10:42 am

    <p>I don't believe the Bloomberg story. The first full trailer Apple posted was "For All Mankind" and it's not listed as a launch title. Neither is "Snoopy In Space" which also has a trailer in the TV app. It doesn't make sense not to have trailers for launch shows and to have trailers for shows coming later.</p>

    • Robert_Wood

      20 August, 2019 - 4:27 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#450514">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p>But, the latest television commercial for the service features "The Morning Show." I haven't seen a television commercial yet featuring the other shows, although I remember the "For All Mankind" trailer during the Apple announcement a few months ago. </p>

  • puggsly

    20 August, 2019 - 2:42 pm

    <p>Accuracy matters!</p><p>&gt;&gt;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Interestingly, Apple will apparently experiment with different release strategies with different shows as well&lt;&lt;</span></p><p>Nothing said that: It did indicate they might release the first 3 episodes followed by weekly installments. Or it might not?</p><p><br></p><p>&gt;&gt;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The publication reports that Apple TV+ will cost $9.99 per month after a free trial&lt;&lt;</span></p><p>No, the publication reported that the price has not been set but that $9.99 is being considered </p><p><br></p><p>&gt;&gt;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">By comparison, Netflix will spend about $15 billion this year on original content.&lt;&lt;</span></p><p>NO! They will spend $15B on all programing but about $3B of that is for content from other sources which still puts them spending up to twice as much as Apple expects to but accuracy matters. Also, HBO only spends about 2B/year on originals and rights to recent released movies and charges $15/month.</p><p><br></p>

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