Apple TV+ has 'no excuse' for lagging growth, says Netflix co-founder
Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph said that Apple TV+ has "no excuse" for its lagging behind other competitors in the streaming market.
Credit: Apple
Apple has yet to report subscriber numbers for its fledgling streaming service. However, there are indications that the company isn't seeing the same type of growth as its rivals and that it may have a "freeloader" problem.
"If Apple spent one quarter as much time on content as they do on giveaways they really could play," Randolph told Yahoo Finance in a recent interview. He noted that Apple has $200 billion cash on hand.
Apple has more than 50 films and TV shows on its Apple TV+ platform. That number pales in comparison to the massive libraries of competitors like Netflix, or even Disney+, which launched around the same time as Apple.
"They have no excuse [and] they're still not in it with both feet," Randolph said. "They really have to do the entrepreneurial thing and walk up to the edge of the cliff and jump."
The Netflix co-founder also noted that Apple TV+ has the highest churn rate of any streaming platform.
In January, Apple extended its initially yearlong free trial through July 2021. Data also suggests that the majority of users on a trial don't plan to resubscribe on the promotional period ends.
"You can't keep replacing people, you've got to give them a reason to stay," Randolph said.
Credit: Apple
Apple has yet to report subscriber numbers for its fledgling streaming service. However, there are indications that the company isn't seeing the same type of growth as its rivals and that it may have a "freeloader" problem.
"If Apple spent one quarter as much time on content as they do on giveaways they really could play," Randolph told Yahoo Finance in a recent interview. He noted that Apple has $200 billion cash on hand.
Apple has more than 50 films and TV shows on its Apple TV+ platform. That number pales in comparison to the massive libraries of competitors like Netflix, or even Disney+, which launched around the same time as Apple.
"They have no excuse [and] they're still not in it with both feet," Randolph said. "They really have to do the entrepreneurial thing and walk up to the edge of the cliff and jump."
The Netflix co-founder also noted that Apple TV+ has the highest churn rate of any streaming platform.
In January, Apple extended its initially yearlong free trial through July 2021. Data also suggests that the majority of users on a trial don't plan to resubscribe on the promotional period ends.
"You can't keep replacing people, you've got to give them a reason to stay," Randolph said.
Comments
As it is, Apple like your local theatre. It has a new movie every now and then, maybe you like it, maybe you don't. Except you're paying every month whether you like the offering of the month or not.
Comparing them to Disney is pretty ridiculous given Disney had it's entire back catalog that covers decades.
I guess the one bright spot for Apple TV+ is when competitors start talking smack about an Apple offering it means said competitor is about to get steamrolled and is pooping their pants.
As for the content, I'm satisfied so far -- there's always been a show or movie I'm interested in, making it work the eventual cost of...$5. IMO it has far more appealing content than Showtime or Starz, which basically have one hit show each. Who pays for those services? (I paid to binge Homeland and got out).
But yeah, comparing to Netflix or Disney is pretty silly since they have many years (or decades) of back catalog.
So it’s basically a year old and the majority of that time has been during a pandemic. Which is not exactly the best environment for securing staff and production. Nevermind that the service itself also requires an Apple device or a recent supported 3rd party device.
I dare say Apple has done *plenty* more since 1997 than Netflix has.
I remember the last time a competitor tried to diss Apple.
Be smart Netflix, remember Blackberry?
What is “normal content ”? Simple: it’s content not dripping in left-leaning woke-ism. About the only show that isn’t featuring LGTBQ characters/plot lines or black actors >13% of total is Ted Lasso. Everything else is a democrat advert.
I like shows that are so entertaining that you have to ask yourself at the end, "Did I see any minorities in that show?" If there were indeed >13% minorities, but you can't remember them, then that's a good sign that the show wasn't specifically written to promote minority issues. The purpose of entertainment is to entertain, not to make you cognizant of or indoctrinated in women's issues, or gay issues, or minority issues. I wouldn't be so disappointed with some of the pro-LGBTQ episodes on Apple TV if they actually were good episodes rather than boring episodes. But they were boring. I just want to be entertained, not schooled. Is that bad?
They seem to be playing the long game and can afford to give it away for free as long as they want to.
However, the appeal of a known property would create a lot of buzz.
Apple probably tried it when (allegedly) bidding for Friends. Personally, I am happy that god-awful show didn't make it to Apple TV+.