Apple Planning to Give Away Free Content As Part of New Digital Media Strategy
Apple is betting big on its new digital media strategy with a new TV app. The company is reportedly reworking its TV app for its products that will introduce new content, as well as a new digital TV service.
The new TV service from Apple will include Apple’s original content, with the company rumoured to have spent over $1 billion. The company is apparently planning to give away its original content for free to owners of Apple devices, according to CNBC. Along with its free original content, Apple device owners will also get access to content from other services, through subscription-based “channels.” Much like how channels work on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV users will be able to subscribe to third-party services like HBO from within Apple TV.
Giving away its own original content for free will be a way of Apple to attract customers for the future. The company plans to eventually launch its subscription-based streaming service to compete with Netflix, with new “tent pole” franchises. Unlike Netflix, Apple is focusing on PG-rated, family-friendly shows that will appeal to all its customers. Cupertino is believed to be working on at least 24 original shows for the service, and that’ll likely be the primary revenue source for the company’s new digital media strategy.
The company is expected to launch its new Apple TV app by early 2019.