5 Things We Expect Apple to Announce About Their Streaming Service on Monday
On Monday March 25 at 10am PT, Apple will be holding a special event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. Much speculation is that the event will announce a news subscription service, as well as their highly-anticipated TV and Film streaming service.
After sorting through the rumors and speculation, from original content to what it will cost, this is everything we expect Apple to announce at their big event.
1. Amazon Channels Competitor to Subscribe to Premium Channels
Since last Spring, there have been reports that Apple has been working on an Amazon Channels competitor that will allow you to use your Apple credentials to subscribe and pay for premium subscriptions. While we already know Netflix (and likely Hulu) won't be included, HBO might, we do think Showtime, CBS All Access, STARZ, and MLB.TV will be available at launch.
Apple is trying to get a 30% cut on streaming video services — which is similar to what many peg as Amazon’s take for Prime Video Channels. Currently, through the App Store, Apple earns 15% of subscription revenue (after taking 30% during the first year) for services like HBO NOW.
2. Exclusive Discounts on Bundled “Channels”
According to The Information, Apple may offer bundled discounts for packages of premium channels. For instance, if you purchase Showtime and Starz, you would pay a lower price than buying the two separately. This is not that uncommon for those who buy premium channels from your cable company.
Reports say that this will extended past just movie channels, and include other streaming channels/services grouped by genre. Apple hopes this helps consumers get over streaming fatigue of the many different OTT subscriptions that have become available.
3. Original Shows from J.J. Abrams, Steven Spielberg, Oprah, Brie Larsen, Jennifer Aniston, & Reese Witherspoon
Over the past year, there have been leaks of shows and movies that would be coming to Apple’s streaming service. We already know the company has partnered with A24 who produced films like Lady Bird and Moonlight to make films for the service and announced a multi-year deal for original shows from Oprah.
Last month, it was revealed that Brie Larson had signed on to star in a CIA drama for Apple, following news that Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon would star in a TV Drama about the rivalry of morning TV shows.
Another Marvel star, Chris Evans, will be the lead role in Defending Jacob, which tells story of a father dealing with the accusation that his 14-year-old son is a murderer.
They have quietly acquired programming including a J.J. Abrams limited series starring Jennifer Garner, Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories, a futuristic drama from Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence, and thriller series from M. Night Shyamalan.
4. AirPlay Support to Other Streaming Devices Like Roku
According to reports, Apple has been in discussions with Roku to add AirPlay 2 Support to Roku devices. This would let users stream Apple’s original shows and premium subscriptions on Roku devices.
The report suggests that the addition of AirPlay would come as part of a Roku OS update to both streaming players like the Roku Ultra and Roku Smart TV’s by Sharp, TCL, and others.
At CES, it was announced AirPlay 2 and HomeKit would be available in LG, VIZIO, and Samsung’s entire 2019 line-up. Additionally, 2018 Samsung TVs and any VIZIO TV with SmartCast will be able to use it with a free software update later this Spring.
5. Free Access to Apple’s Original Shows for Their Customers
While Amazon gives away Prime Video with an Amazon Prime subscription, we expect that Apple will giveaway content to those with iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV devices.
So what about Android or Roku/Fire TV users? We think that Apple will offer those customers the ability to get the content when they subscribe to Apple Music (which already has an Android App).