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State of the Screens

Why Apple made the unusual move to sell its streaming service for next to nothing

By September 19, 2019No Comments

Key details for Apple TV+:
1) 
No ads
2) Available in 100+ countries
3) $4.99 per month after free trial
4) $6B+ in original content spend
5) 9 original shows
6) No 3rd party content

Smart: The lower entry price and free trial should allow Apple to quickly gain subscribers.  For example, they are projected to sell 70M+ iPhones this holiday season, and each of those customers would get their first year free.

Apple devices that qualify for a free year of Apple TV+:
1) 
iPhone
2) iPad
3) Mac
4) Apple TV box

Apple plans to launch with nine original shows:
1) 
The Morning Show
2) See
3) For All Mankind
4) Dickinson
5) The Elephant Queen
6) Helpsters
7) Snoopy in Space
8) Ghostwriter
9) TBD show w/ Oprah

Flashback: Here’s How We’d Handle the Rollout for Apple TV+

Video: Apple has advantage with customer base in streaming wars

More #1: The iPhone and Apple’s Services Strategy

More #2: Apple TV+ is a bit of an afterthought

More #3: Apple Says TV+ Service Won’t Harm Results, Rebutting Goldman

Michael Beach

Michael Beach is the Chief Executive Officer of Cross Screen Media, a media analytics and software company that enables marketers to plan, activate, and measure CTV and linear TV at the local level. Michael is also the founder and editor of State of the Screens, a weekly newsletter focused on video advertising that is a must-read for thought leaders in the advertising industry. He has appeared in such publications as PBS Frontline, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Axios, CNBC and Bloomberg, and on NPR’s Planet Money podcast.