Apple Announces Original TV Streaming Service 'Apple TV+'

[4492865]

Speaking as someone in the UK, I find the rise of the tech giants in streaming to be something to worry about rather than celebrate. I can see how for US residents all this US originated content is exciting. For the rest of the world it's concerning, at the very least.

I subscribe to Netflix and enjoy plenty of shows on there (all US based as the UK content is virtually all stuff that's previously aired on UK terrestrial TV) but 90+% of what I want to watch is made by UK production companies. It's good to watch content from cultures and countries outside ones own realm, however the bulk of what I want to view is UK based, because that's where I live.

UK content providers are not going to be able to compete with the huge cash reserves of the tech giants in the States and I see a future where localised content outside the USA is very limited - a rounding error on a West Coast balance sheet.

I'm generally a glass-half-full optimistic person but a future where the power of Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney etc control what the whole world watches just makes me utterly depressed.

I agree. It's cultural imperialism. I think France is right demanding local content, and the EU should demand it as a whole.

Netflix has a wider variety though, I enjoy it quite a bit.

 

[trip1ex]

Speaking as someone in the UK, I find the rise of the tech giants in streaming to be something to worry about rather than celebrate. I can see how for US residents all this US originated content is exciting. For the rest of the world it's concerning, at the very least.

I subscribe to Netflix and enjoy plenty of shows on there (all US based as the UK content is virtually all stuff that's previously aired on UK terrestrial TV) but 90+% of what I want to watch is made by UK production companies. It's good to watch content from cultures and countries outside ones own realm, however the bulk of what I want to view is UK based, because that's where I live.

UK content providers are not going to be able to compete with the huge cash reserves of the tech giants in the States and I see a future where localised content outside the USA is very limited - a rounding error on a West Coast balance sheet.

I'm generally a glass-half-full optimistic person but a future where the power of Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney etc control what the whole world watches just makes me utterly depressed.

You're always going to have local programming if there's demand for it. IF US tv was going to takeover the UK it would have happened long ago.

 

[SaxPlayer]

You're always going to have local programming if there's demand for it. IF US tv was going to takeover the UK it would have happened long ago.

You misunderstand me. There will be local content, however it will be tiny in comparison to US originated content - it is on Amazon Prime and Netflix at the moment and I don't see Apple TV+ or Disney+ being any different. The future I'm afraid of is where existing home broadcasters have little clout, streaming TV Commissioning Editors are all sitting in the US and overseas content is highly limited. Yes, there will be some as a box ticking exercise, but not as much as we have now.

 

[jwdsail]

Many people, myself included warned others that a la carte tv would be very expensive.

Now everyone is seeing that bundled pay tv was actually a great deal. And a la carte is not the dream they envisioned.

Based on what, may I ask?

Using my parents as an example, they cut the cord about a year ago now.

Went from paying the cable co for both TV and Internet, to just Internet.

For TV, I set them up with an attic antenna and a TabloTV, Playstation Vue, Motortrend On-Demand, and Netflix. A few shows that the TabloTV doesn't record properly end up purchased on iTunes, or are sometimes available on other stations. (CBS soaps end up on Pop on Vue a day later, CW shows are available on CW app)

Even with the worst case monthly costs after one of the broadcast towers went offline for a month due to FCC Repackaging/equipment upgrades, they still saved $150/mo compared to the CableCo Buffett package (wasn't the highest tier the cable co had either, they had whatever the middle was)?

They could likely drop to the cheapest/lowest Vue package if their favorite motorsports org would offer an online service, saving even more money.

They added Starz when American Gods S2 started and are also catching up on Outlander. Will suspend it when done watching both. CableCo used to make that tedious at best.

They will add HBO Now when GOT comes back on and catch up with True Detective then. Then, will suspend that as well.

Not having to pay for crap they'll never watch, is saving them money.

It's saving plenty of people money.

It's damn near a dream come true, even for my less than tech savvy 70+yo parents.

So, you and many others, were.. what's the word I'm looking for.. oh yeah.. you were wrong.

Have a nice day.

 

[jeremiah256]

Speaking as someone in the UK, I find the rise of the tech giants in streaming to be something to worry about rather than celebrate. I can see how for US residents all this US originated content is exciting. For the rest of the world it's concerning, at the very least.

I subscribe to Netflix and enjoy plenty of shows on there (all US based as the UK content is virtually all stuff that's previously aired on UK terrestrial TV) but 90+% of what I want to watch is made by UK production companies. It's good to watch content from cultures and countries outside ones own realm, however the bulk of what I want to view is UK based, because that's where I live.

UK content providers are not going to be able to compete with the huge cash reserves of the tech giants in the States and I see a future where localised content outside the USA is very limited - a rounding error on a West Coast balance sheet.

I'm generally a glass-half-full optimistic person but a future where the power of Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Disney etc control what the whole world watches just makes me utterly depressed.

Question: is the dominance of American content exacerbated by more restrictive content regulations in other countries?

 

[2010mini]

Based on what, may I ask?

Using my parents as an example, they cut the cord about a year ago now.

Went from paying the cable co for both TV and Internet, to just Internet.

For TV, I set them up with an attic antenna and a TabloTV, Playstation Vue, Motortrend On-Demand, and Netflix. A few shows that the TabloTV doesn't record properly end up purchased on iTunes, or are sometimes available on other stations. (CBS soaps end up on Pop on Vue a day later, CW shows are available on CW app)

Even with the worst case monthly costs after one of the broadcast towers went offline for a month due to FCC Repackaging/equipment upgrades, they still saved $150/mo compared to the CableCo Buffett package (wasn't the highest tier the cable co had either, they had whatever the middle was)?

They could likely drop to the cheapest/lowest Vue package if their favorite motorsports org would offer an OTA service, saving even more money.

They added Starz when American Gods S2 started and are also catching up on Outlander. Will suspend it when done watching both. CableCo used to make that tedious at best.

They will add HBO Now when GOT comes back on and catch up with True Detective then. Then, will suspend that as well.

Not having to pay for crap they'll never watch, is saving them money.

It's saving plenty of people money.

It's damn near a dream come true, even for my less than tech savvy 70+yo parents.

So, you and many others, were.. what's the word I'm looking for.. oh yeah.. you were wrong.

Have a nice day.

OK..... OTA and a la carte TV are 2 different things. Going OTA is “cutting the cord” so to speak.

What I was referring to was the once popular notion of a la carte..... the dream of building your own bundle of cable channels. From locals to premium channels. Some thought the sweet spot would be $5 per channel (laughable) Which I and others said is a pipe dream.

 

[jwdsail]

OK..... OTA and a la carte TV are 2 different things. Going OTA is “cutting the cord” so to speak.

What I was referring to was the once popular notion of a la carte..... the dream of building your own bundle of cable channels. From locals to premium channels. Some thought the sweet spot would be $5 per channel (laughable) Which I and others said is a pipe dream.

Ok, I'll give you that.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[davidg4781]

So let’s be generous here.

Let’s say this launches with 4 really good movies and 10 Season 1 shows.

I pay for a month, maybe 2. Then what? There’s no other content? Or did I miss something?

 

[cardfan]

So let’s be generous here.

Let’s say this launches with 4 really good movies and 10 Season 1 shows.

I pay for a month, maybe 2. Then what? There’s no other content? Or did I miss something?

Nope I think you got the message. I’m not sure how this limited content turns Apple into a service company either. Lol.

Their best service is offered to google who is only too willing to be default search. App Store commissions and AppleCare are the other stars.

Apple Music brings up the rear at around 10 percent.

Atv plus will struggle to even be 1-2 percent of service revenue. Not sure why anyone views this as any lifesaver. Margin wise it’s a loser. It’s really bizarre given how admirable Apple is as a business. This desperation for services is making them look pretty bad.

 

[davidg4781]

Nope I think you got the message. I’m not sure how this limited content turns Apple into a service company either. Lol.

Their best service is offered to google who is only too willing to be default search. App Store commissions and AppleCare are the other stars.

Apple Music brings up the rear at around 10 percent.

Atv plus will struggle to even be 1-2 percent of service revenue. Not sure why anyone views this as any lifesaver. Margin wise it’s a loser. It’s really bizarre given how admirable Apple is as a business. This desperation for services is making them look pretty bad.

All of their new subscription services have people singing their praises or saying it’ll be the downfall of Apple.

I get there’s a market for News+. It might be pretty big if they market it properly. Maybe the same with Arcade. I just can’t see anyone paying for TV+. I really hope there’s more or it works out though.

 

[code-m]

So we're back at Apple talking out both sides of its mouth. They pay the bill, so they can dictate things like this to eliminate possible backlash, while letting creators truly do their thing.

Please show me a company that does not talk from many sides, it is just politics. Oddly enough even if you disagree with it, you are still a participant.
[doublepost=1553653736][/doublepost]

Nope I think you got the message. I’m not sure how this limited content turns Apple into a service company either. Lol.

Their best service is offered to google who is only too willing to be default search. App Store commissions and AppleCare are the other stars.

Apple Music brings up the rear at around 10 percent.

Atv plus will struggle to even be 1-2 percent of service revenue. Not sure why anyone views this as any lifesaver. Margin wise it’s a loser. It’s really bizarre given how admirable Apple is as a business. This desperation for services is making them look pretty bad.

Apple has transitioned into a service company and will only build and add more options for its customers. You don’t have to like it or even buy into it, however there will be many who will. This strategy happened with Apple Music, in the launch stage it was junk compared to its competitors, people claimed it would be a small player and not a threat. Fast forward a couple years and now it has transformed into a formidable opponent to its early day competitors. Apple’s strategy is to get its foot in the door, even if it means coming to the party late, sit around and morph its product and eventually replace the competition that was previously on the scene.

Look at history with iPod, iPhone, iTunes, iPad, AppStore, Apple Music, etc. You may have a grand old laugh now, however Apple is the one who will have the last.

Personally I am not interested in either AppleMusic, TV+, etc. I have no reason to defend or persecute Apple’s services choices or offerings. This is just my observation.

 

[ipponrg]

Fast forward a couple years and now it has transformed into a formidable opponent to its early day competitors. Apple’s strategy is to get its foot in the door, even if it means coming to the party late, sit around and morph its product and eventually replace the competition that was previously on the scene.

Who were Apple Music's competitors other than Spotify? I know Apple keeps touting these numbers, and I'm not saying that they aren't facts. I do find it weird that in my circle (30% Android / 70% iOS), none of the Apple iPhone users including myself have an Apple Music account.

Look at history with iPod, iPhone, iTunes, iPad, AppStore, Apple Music, etc. You may have a grand old laugh now, however Apple is the one who will have the last.

I wonder if the HomePod will make it on this list in the next few years.

 

[cardfan]

Please show me a company that does not talk from many sides, it is just politics. Oddly enough even if you disagree with it, you are still a participant.
[doublepost=1553653736][/doublepost]

Apple has transitioned into a service company and will only build and add more options for its customers. You don’t have to like it or even buy into it, however there will be many who will. This strategy happened with Apple Music, in the launch stage it was junk compared to its competitors, people claimed it would be a small player and not a threat. Fast forward a couple years and now it has transformed into a formidable opponent to its early day competitors. Apple’s strategy is to get its foot in the door, even if it means coming to the party late, sit around and morph its product and eventually replace the competition that was previously on the scene.

Look at history with iPod, iPhone, iTunes, iPad, AppStore, Apple Music, etc. You may have a grand old laugh now, however Apple is the one who will have the last.

Personally I am not interested in either AppleMusic, TV+, etc. I have no reason to defend or persecute Apple’s services choices or offerings. This is just my observation.

Transitioned into a service company? Lol. The iPhone begs to differ with that. Apple Music is a different animal anyways. Apple easily made deal with the major labels. This is home of the iPod. I never had a doubt they’d get back to ruling Music.

The video thing is nothing like that. Content holders have already been Netflixed. They’ve already been disrupted. Now they have a giant in Netflix to contend with. 125m users. The US is already saturated contributing few new users to Netflix.

If Apple wants a piece of the pie then they have to come in and take it. The content holders won’t work with them so they have to create their own. Apple is basically relying on their brand to compete because they act like a stingy grandma with a pocketbook while she has billions of dollars in the bank.

Netflix is spending 15 billion a year on content. Apple spent one. (Apple even thinks they have a Netflix killer lol). Now why on earth would I switch to Apple? In addition Netflix leases other content. Apple leases none. Again grandma doesn’t wanna spend. Grandma plans on charging at least 10 a month though. She has to. How else will they ever recoup costs?

What happens next year? Netflix spends another 15 billion. Disney has its massive content base streaming on all barrels. Apple? Hmm. They’re probably wondering why they can’t get subscribers and pull the plug. Surely amazing stories and some stupid morning news show drama is better than all that right? Why can’t Apple get to 10m subs?

In other words Apple needed to buy Netflix when they could. Or make some acquisitions by spending real money. Heck it may still be best to simply gobble up Netflix if Apple has to go down this path.

There’s always that choice of not playing this game altogether. (There’s other services to be had). Something many advocated. It was a bad idea. It’s still a bad idea unless Apple wants to risk billions trying to compete in a saturated market and there’s not a darn thing they can do that’s any different or better than what Netflix is doing. They can’t disrupt the disruptor. And let’s remember even Netflix only has like a 10 percent margin. Apple is used to much higher.

 

[4492865]

Transitioned into a service company? Lol. The iPhone begs to differ with that. Apple Music is a different animal anyways. Apple easily made deal with the major labels. This is home of the iPod. I never had a doubt they’d get back to ruling Music.

The video thing is nothing like that. Content holders have already been Netflixed. They’ve already been disrupted. Now they have a giant in Netflix to contend with. 125m users. The US is already saturated contributing few new users to Netflix.

If Apple wants a piece of the pie then they have to come in and take it. The content holders won’t work with them so they have to create their own. Apple is basically relying on their brand to compete because they act like a stingy grandma with a pocketbook while she has billions of dollars in the bank.

Netflix is spending 15 billion a year on content. Apple spent one. (Apple even thinks they have a Netflix killer lol). Now why on earth would I switch to Apple? In addition Netflix leases other content. Apple leases none. Again grandma doesn’t wanna spend. Grandma plans on charging at least 10 a month though. She has to. How else will they ever recoup costs?

What happens next year? Netflix spends another 15 billion. Disney has its massive content base streaming on all barrels. Apple? Hmm. They’re probably wondering why they can’t get subscribers and pull the plug. Surely amazing stories and some stupid morning news show drama is better than all that right? Why can’t Apple get to 10m subs?

In other words Apple needed to buy Netflix when they could. Or make some acquisitions by spending real money. Heck it may still be best to simply gobble up Netflix if Apple has to go down this path.

There’s always that choice of not playing this game altogether. (There’s other services to be had). Something many advocated. It was a bad idea. It’s still a bad idea unless Apple wants to risk billions trying to compete in a saturated market and there’s not a darn thing they can do that’s any different or better than what Netflix is doing. They can’t disrupt the disruptor. And let’s remember even Netflix only has like a 10 percent margin. Apple is used to much higher.

I would also like to reject the premise that Apple needs to move to services because iPhone sales are falling. That's partially Apple's own doing - stretching the price with not enough innovations. Mac hardware is just not as good as it was, and are horribly overpriced too.

They will never get the services business as right as the likes of Disney and Netflix though. Parading Jennifer Aniston and Oprah Winfrey won't change that. If anything, this strategy is only valid for the US anyway. I doubt that Indian people will join Apple tv+ because of Oprah.

 

[ersan191]

Who were Apple Music's competitors other than Spotify? I know Apple keeps touting these numbers, and I'm not saying that they aren't facts. I do find it weird that in my circle (30% Android / 70% iOS), none of the Apple iPhone users including myself have an Apple Music account

Google, Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, YouTube, Microsoft (Groove), Slacker, Napster/Rhapsody, iHeartRadio, Samsung (Milk), Sony?

 

[ipponrg]

Google, Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, YouTube, Microsoft (Groove), Slacker, Napster/Rhapsody, iHeartRadio, Samsung (Milk), Sony?

Ah yeah I forgot about Apple Music’s discovery stations. Was originally only thinking about the music on demand. Some of those are niches that outperform Apple Music in the areas they are specialized in though.

 

[cardfan]

I didn’t see apples move to Apple Music as a means to shift to services. They were on verge of being left out of music altogether. Home of the iPod they needed to do that.

But they’re not creating their own music to sell. It’s simply much different because the record labels are on board.

I admire Apple and wasn’t one of the ones saying iPhone would fail. Or iPad would fail. But I don’t see video streaming being worthwhile for them...at this late stage. It’s the wrong play.

Heck they’d make more off a Siri home bar and 5.1 system made for Apple TV to complete things. That’s missing big time. Cameras? I gave Sony 3k for a mirrorless one. Would love an iOS based one. Security cameras like arlo? I’m paying them 10 a month or so...sustainable sub Apple? I would’ve bought an Apple one instead.

The list goes on what they COULD be doing rather than being stuck having to spend billions hoping to have a chance grabbing scraps from Netflix or Disney. What gives Apple an edge no one else has? iOS. Ecosystem based on iOS. Leverage it. Create service revenue from other new hardware.

 

[davidg4781]

I would also like to reject the premise that Apple needs to move to services because iPhone sales are falling. That's partially Apple's own doing - stretching the price with not enough innovations. Mac hardware is just not as good as it was, and are horribly overpriced too.

I think there’s not much of a need for a traditional PC anymore. I believe the current iPads are more powerful than my 2011 mini. And I can probably do without that, aside from games. Years ago I needed a high spec PC to do gaming, school work, and other things.

Combine all that with hardware that lasts and still runs pretty quick and there’s not much of a need to buy a Mac.

 

[code-m]

Who were Apple Music's competitors other than Spotify? I know Apple keeps touting these numbers, and I'm not saying that they aren't facts. I do find it weird that in my circle (30% Android / 70% iOS), none of the Apple iPhone users including myself have an Apple Music account.

As a public ally traded company, I don’t believe it is in Apple’s best interest to lie to the public. Other competitors include Pandora, Tidal, etc. Spotify is facing heavy competition not only from Apple, however the likes of Google, Amazon, etc. Not my concern who uses what service, personal choice and preference.

I wonder if the HomePod will make it on this list in the next few years.

Too early to say, look at the release of the original AppleTV, it morphed however still a very small player in the market. People like it, not my preference.
[doublepost=1553705596][/doublepost]

Transitioned into a service company? Lol. The iPhone begs to differ with that. Apple Music is a different animal anyways. Apple easily made deal with the major labels. This is home of the iPod. I never had a doubt they’d get back to ruling Music.

The video thing is nothing like that. Content holders have already been Netflixed. They’ve already been disrupted. Now they have a giant in Netflix to contend with. 125m users. The US is already saturated contributing few new users to Netflix.

If Apple wants a piece of the pie then they have to come in and take it. The content holders won’t work with them so they have to create their own. Apple is basically relying on their brand to compete because they act like a stingy grandma with a pocketbook while she has billions of dollars in the bank.

Netflix is spending 15 billion a year on content. Apple spent one. (Apple even thinks they have a Netflix killer lol). Now why on earth would I switch to Apple? In addition Netflix leases other content. Apple leases none. Again grandma doesn’t wanna spend. Grandma plans on charging at least 10 a month though. She has to. How else will they ever recoup costs?

What happens next year? Netflix spends another 15 billion. Disney has its massive content base streaming on all barrels. Apple? Hmm. They’re probably wondering why they can’t get subscribers and pull the plug. Surely amazing stories and some stupid morning news show drama is better than all that right? Why can’t Apple get to 10m subs?

In other words Apple needed to buy Netflix when they could. Or make some acquisitions by spending real money. Heck it may still be best to simply gobble up Netflix if Apple has to go down this path.

There’s always that choice of not playing this game altogether. (There’s other services to be had). Something many advocated. It was a bad idea. It’s still a bad idea unless Apple wants to risk billions trying to compete in a saturated market and there’s not a darn thing they can do that’s any different or better than what Netflix is doing. They can’t disrupt the disruptor. And let’s remember even Netflix only has like a 10 percent margin. Apple is used to much higher.

Too early to conclude anything, however Apple has a proven track record though not perfect that once it sets its eyes on something it is for the medium to long term. People shared a similar sentiment about music, etc however here we are. The difference between Netflix and Apple is that one of those companies is diversified, so if one area of their business is not doing well, their will survive. Netflix is focused on only one thing, if things go bad it could smell like trouble. Disney is also diversified and the close relationship between Disney and Apple can lead to future collaboration in this area.

However let’s wait 5-10 years and prove what I am saying today is wrong. The iPhone has matured as the original product release, it is transitioning into other areas, photography, video, AR/VR, gaming.

 

[cardfan]

Too early to conclude anything, however Apple has a proven track record though not perfect that once it sets its eyes on something it is for the medium to long term. People shared a similar sentiment about music, etc however here we are. The difference between Netflix and Apple is that one of those companies is diversified, so if one area of their business is not doing well, their will survive. Netflix is focused on only one thing, if things go bad it could smell like trouble. Disney is also diversified and the close relationship between Disney and Apple can lead to future collaboration in this area.

However let’s wait 5-10 years and prove what I am saying today is wrong. The iPhone has matured as the original product release, it is transitioning into other areas, photography, video, AR/VR, gaming.

Not sure who shared a similar sentiment about music. Once again, I thought that was a no brainer for apple to do and a completely different animal from what we're seeing with video. It doesn't compare. But hey if we're looking at things for proven track record, then don't leave out the lemons.

Whatever the case though, it's pretty evident Apple will have to spend billions more to get any sustainable subs for this. I'm not sure they're willing to step on the gas pedal anytime soon til they get a real feel for it. It'll be slow going.

Enough about what's good for Apple, maybe we should focus on us..lol Frankly, apple's tv plans don't do much for me. What I'll notice straight away probably is how much more bloated their tv app is getting. I don't like curation. Or all in one apps. Maybe I'm weird or something. I don't like getting nagged. Hopefully there's a way to disable all the "channels" stuff that remind of me of popup in-app purchases that I already hate. I simply want a great experience on apple tv especially with the apple stuff and I don't feel like they're focusing on this..

 

[trip1ex]

You misunderstand me. There will be local content, however it will be tiny in comparison to US originated content - it is on Amazon Prime and Netflix at the moment and I don't see Apple TV+ or Disney+ being any different. The future I'm afraid of is where existing home broadcasters have little clout, streaming TV Commissioning Editors are all sitting in the US and overseas content is highly limited. Yes, there will be some as a box ticking exercise, but not as much as we have now.

Your local content isn't going to shrink just because the internet lets you access US streaming services.

 

[code-m]

Not sure who shared a similar sentiment about music. Once again, I thought that was a no brainer for apple to do and a completely different animal from what we're seeing with video. It doesn't compare. But hey if we're looking at things for proven track record, then don't leave out the lemons.

Whatever the case though, it's pretty evident Apple will have to spend billions more to get any sustainable subs for this. I'm not sure they're willing to step on the gas pedal anytime soon til they get a real feel for it. It'll be slow going.

Enough about what's good for Apple, maybe we should focus on us..lol Frankly, apple's tv plans don't do much for me. What I'll notice straight away probably is how much more bloated their tv app is getting. I don't like curation. Or all in one apps. Maybe I'm weird or something. I don't like getting nagged. Hopefully there's a way to disable all the "channels" stuff that remind of me of popup in-app purchases that I already hate. I simply want a great experience on apple tv especially with the apple stuff and I don't feel like they're focusing on this..

AppleTV is the new iTunes

Every company has lemons; G4 Cube, iPod HiFi, etc. Will this be the same, to early to say. Then again, I really have no interest in AppleMusic or AppleTV+, but that doesn’t mean I have to hate it either

 

[Tech198]

It's like Applecare+, but with an entertainment name

 

[JAMIERAMIE]

This is another one of those services that will get a few days worth of original content, before stars involved stop giving a **** and move to Netflix.

I would hope they could do both since it should bring them money.

Cost??

 

[kis]

I think Spielberg shouldn't have criticized Netflix, a streaming service and nor should Taylor since they both get paid for their work by these services. But that's competition I would say.



I think 2/3 of the iPhones profit comes from the international market like the rest of their services and other products while only 1/3 of the profit comes from the USA. So yeah, if Apple where to be smart they would have launch everything worldwide. For Example it took Apple Pay several years to expand outside the USA to more than 10 countries. This is unacceptable.

It's not that they aren't smart - the leadership just comes across as racist to me. International operations go badly because in my opinion, the leadership refuses to deal with the "old world" as it looks like they believe we're backward here. That seems to have had a long tradition, going way back to Steve Jobs who openly admitted that he hated Europe. Until he went to Switzerland for cancer treatment of course - then we were apparently not so backward anymore.