Apple to sell third-party streaming service subscriptions through 'TV' app, report says
Perhaps offering a glimpse at Apple's master plan for video, the company is reportedly planning to sell subscriptions to third-party services through its "TV" app for iPhones, iPads, and the Apple TV.
The option should become available in the next year, according to several Bloomberg sources. The publication didn't say whether Apple would claim a cut of subscription fees, but did suggest the move could boost the company's services revenue. Apple currently claims a cut from every subscription bought via the iOS App Store.
For the public, centralized subscriptions could make it easier to find and watch content. At the moment the TV app requires people have to have apps for every service they subscribe to, even if they've taken advantage of Apple's single sign-on feature.
In effect, the arrangement would be copying Amazon's "Channels," which lets people add networks like HBO to their Prime subscription for easier search -- and billing.
The prediction that Apple will monetize the TV app isn't a surprise, as it isn't clear where else Apple would sell video subscriptions in a central location -- plus it makes sense given Apple's ambitions in the space. Apple is currently on a $1 billion push into original video programming, expected to premiere sometime next year.
The company has a number of projects in the works, such as an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" novels, and a sketch comedy show starring Kristen Wiig.
Apple's own shows have been rumored as being free to anyone with the TV app, but with a cut of third-party subscriptions, the programming could pay for itself.
The option should become available in the next year, according to several Bloomberg sources. The publication didn't say whether Apple would claim a cut of subscription fees, but did suggest the move could boost the company's services revenue. Apple currently claims a cut from every subscription bought via the iOS App Store.
For the public, centralized subscriptions could make it easier to find and watch content. At the moment the TV app requires people have to have apps for every service they subscribe to, even if they've taken advantage of Apple's single sign-on feature.
In effect, the arrangement would be copying Amazon's "Channels," which lets people add networks like HBO to their Prime subscription for easier search -- and billing.
The prediction that Apple will monetize the TV app isn't a surprise, as it isn't clear where else Apple would sell video subscriptions in a central location -- plus it makes sense given Apple's ambitions in the space. Apple is currently on a $1 billion push into original video programming, expected to premiere sometime next year.
The company has a number of projects in the works, such as an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" novels, and a sketch comedy show starring Kristen Wiig.
Apple's own shows have been rumored as being free to anyone with the TV app, but with a cut of third-party subscriptions, the programming could pay for itself.
Comments
This approach allows content owners and distributors to sell their content anywhere someone has High Speed internet and an Apple TV. Content owners will not be limited to who the cable operator is in any given locations. Apple will be the hardware/GUI platform, the cable guy provide the bandwidth and the content owners can see to anyone one who want to pay for their content.
Tim got it wrong, the future of TV isn’t Apps, it was always services. The app-per-channel model has provided a fragmented, inconsistent UX that’s not what I’ve come to expect from Apple.
In fact, for those of us in the provinces, with smaller providers without large app development budgets, this would be a godsend.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/storefront/
Why does any reseller make money off of sales of another company's product? ¯\(°_o)/¯
(On the other hand, there is no News app on my phone)
On the topic, Apple could do with video subscription the same way they’re planning to do with News app I suppose.
And then the available channels break down into those countries.
Digital content is the key here. A business Apple itself is in. Apple could either, ban ALL digital content distribution services from their platforms, or they could allow 3rd party content providers to make their services/stores available, but charge a fee when a user signs up or makes a purchase via Apple's platform.
It's just like Amazon... they get a cut of every sale made through their website/app even if it comes from a 3rd party marketplace... Amazon doesn't pay for the shipping, handling, packaging, etc. and they don't provide warehouses to store those retail goods. They just provide access to their retail platform and charge for it.
Furthermore, any digital content distributor can avoid giving Apple their cut, but if they do so, they are not allowed to "point" to where the user can go to subscribe or make purchases. For instance, Amazon's Kindle app is just a "reader" for the content you already have access to... it provides no means to subscribe or make purchases and there's no "link" in the app that takes you directly to a web page that allows you to.
Ok, one more thing...
If anyone thinks it is unfair for Apple to get a cut, then that person can simply go to the website and subscribe or make purchases and then download and use the iOS app "free of charge".
If you do not live in the US, the only possible way you could be using the US App Store is if you have a US based credit/bank card registered with your iTunes/App Store account.