Apple TV Service Will Offer Free Original Content to Customers: Report

According to CNBC, Apple’s upcoming digital video service will reportedly offer some free original content to owners of Apple devices:

Apple is preparing a new digital video service that will marry original content and subscription services from legacy media companies, according to people familiar with the matter. Owners of Apple devices, such as the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV will find the still-in-the-works service in the pre-installed “TV” application, said the people, who asked not to be named because the details of the project are private.

This new streaming video service will include content owned by Apple, which will be reportedly free for iOS and Apple TV customers via the TV app. The service will also include subscription apps from TV networks, allowing customers to sign into their online-only services, such as HBO Now.

This revamped digital video service is said to debut early next year, in an update to the TV app.

Apple looks to acquire family-friendly shows for its customers, claim unnamed sources, spending about $1 billion USD to do so. A couple other sources claim Apple is searching for “tent pole” franchises, which could form the basis of a Netflix-type subscription service in the future.

The task at hand to strike content deals with media companies is in the hands of Peter Stern, who joined Apple in 2016, claim sources. Stern was formerly the chief strategy officer of Time Warner Cable.

Offering free original video content on Apple devices would definitely be one way of attracting and maintaining customers. Let’s hope new content is better than Carpool Karaoke, which debuts its next season on October 12.

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