Apple’s Video Streaming Service Expected to Launch in April
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.
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.