Apple may introduce a cheaper, ad-supported subscription for its streaming service Apple TV+. Here’s what you need to know.
Cheaper Apple TV+ subscription with advertising
According to the British newspaper The Telegraph Apple plans to join many other streaming services in offering a cheaper subscription with ads for Apple TV+. Competing streaming services such as Netflix now also offer a subscription with ads in several countries, for about half the regular price.
The Telegraph reports that Apple is currently in talks with the British ratings agency Barb (Broadcaster’s Audience Research Board) on measuring ads. That at least implies that Apple may be planning to add advertising to Apple TV+. Barb currently measures the extent to which movies and series are watched on Apple TV+. With additional techniques, the company is able to measure advertising data as well.
Apple comes last
Apple TV+ is about the last of the big streaming services that does not have a cheaper subscription with advertising. Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime have had such cheaper subscriptions with advertising for a while, although they are still not available in the Netherlands. That will probably only be a matter of time.
So it is not yet certain whether Apple will indeed offer a cheaper subscription with advertising, but it seems that it is coming in England at least. When it will happen and which other countries will be included, remains to be seen. The fact that Apple is investigating the possibilities, however, speaks volumes. It may take a long time, but it will probably happen.
Apple TV+ without commercials now costs 9.99 euros per month here. The standard Netflix subscription currently costs 13.99 euros per month. You can opt for a subscription with a lower resolution (720p). You pay 8.99 euros per month for that.
A standard subscription to Disney+ costs 10.99 euros per month. If you pay for a whole year at once, it will cost you the equivalent of 9.16 euros per month. Amazon Prime costs 4.99 euros per month. Here too, you get a discount if you pay for a whole year at once. The annual amount is then 49.90 euros, which converts to 4.16 euros per month.
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