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Apple’s streaming service could reportedly arrive in April with free original shows
Apple Inc.’s long-rumored video streaming platform may become available as early as a couple of months from now.
Citing people familiar with the project, CNBC reported today that the iPhone maker is gearing up to launch the service in April or early May. The news follows a separate leak that indicated Apple will host an event dedicated to upcoming subscription-based offerings on March 25.
The streaming platform is expected to offer a mix of original programming and content from established media companies. According to CNBC’s tipsters, Apple intends to offer the shows it will produce on its own for free to iOS users, which lines up with earlier leaks.
As for the partner content, Apple is said to be planning to go with a similar approach as the one Amazon.com Inc. has taken with its Prime Video Channels service. The iPhone maker will reportedly offer content from other entertainment providers through paid subscriptions. The goal would be to let customers access outside programming directly via the streaming platform instead of having to install separate apps.
The list of networks that will be available on launch is apparently far from finalized. Apple is expected to offer Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.’s Starz, Showtime and certain Viacom Corp. channels, with HBO another possibility. But the tipsters said that the talks with Home Box Office Inc. are still at a relatively early stage because of disagreements over revenue sharing.
Apple is said to be looking for a 30 percent cut of subscriptions, double what it makes from customers who sign up to media services via the App Store. That may be part of the reason Netflix Inc. and Hulu LLC aren’t anticipated to join in.
The pricing disagreement seems to mirror the challenges Apple is facing with another upcoming subscription offering. On Tuesday, word emerged that some publishers have been hesitant to license content for the company’s planned news service because of the iPhone maker’s terms. The company is said to be pushing for a 50 percent share of revenues.
If recent rumors are accurate, Apple is also working on a third subscription service to join the streaming and news apps. Word is that the iPhone maker is planning a “Netflix for games” that will offer access to a bundled selection of mobile titles for a monthly fee.
Photo: Alex Manchester/Flickr
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