Apple Spending $6 Billion on Original Content for Apple TV+ [Update: Launch Coming in Nov., Price Could Be $9.99/Month]

[MacRumors]

Apple has spent over $6 billion for original TV shows and movies for its upcoming Apple TV+ streaming service, set to launch later this year.

Apple originally set a budget of $1 billion for Apple TV+ execs Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, who head up the project, but according to a source that spoke to Financial Times, that budget has now grown to more than $6 billion.

Hundreds of millions of dollars alone have been spent on "The Morning Show," one of the most high-profile shows that will be a part of Apple TV+. "The Morning Show" stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell. Previous rumors have suggested that Aniston and Witherspoon earn $1.15 million per episode alone.

The cost for "The Morning Show" has apparently exceeded the $15 million per episode that HBO spent on the final season of "Game of Thrones."

Previous rumors have suggested that Apple is spending similar amounts on "See," an upcoming futuristic drama where much of the world's population has been wiped out by a virus, and the rest of the population is blind. "See," which stars Jason Momoa, is said to have a budget of $15 million per episode.

At $6 billion, Apple's spending doesn't quite match the $15 billion that Netflix is expected to shell out in 2019, but Apple is rumored to be offering more generous payment terms to help it win deals for appealing content. Apple is paying out earlier in the production process, "once certain milestones are hit."

Apple has said that its upcoming Apple TV+ series is set to launch in the fall, and the source that spoke to Financial Times says Apple is aiming to launch it "within the next two months" to pre-empt the November 12 launch of Disney Plus.

There's no word yet on pricing for Apple TV+, nor details on which shows will be ready, but several have finished filming and appear to be in the final stages of production.

Apple has dozens of TV shows and movies in the works for Apple TV+, with a full list of everything that's known to be in development available in our Apple TV+ content guide.

Update: A separate report from Bloomberg suggests Apple is considering charging $9.99 per month for the service, which will include a free trial.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is aiming to launch Apple TV+ in November, and is still deciding how shows will be released. Apple is considering releasing three episodes of TV shows at once followed by weekly installments.

"The Morning Show," "See," "Amazing Stories" and "Truth Be Told" are said to be some of the first shows that will be available at launch, with Apple planning to continue to release content on a regular basis going forward.

Article Link: Apple Spending $6 Billion on Original Content for Apple TV+ [Update: Launch Coming in Nov., Price Could Be $9.99/Month]

 

[masterleep]

I'm going to be amazed if there is even one show I'm interested in watching.

 

[dazed]

They needed to buy one of the other streamers (or Fox). Don’t see how they have enough content to warrant a streaming service.

Easy choice between this and Disney plus.

 

[EightyTwenty]

Maybe I’ll be proven wrong, but this thing just screams “flop”.

$6 Billion already?!

 

[farewelwilliams]

Funded by iPhone sales primarily

 

[keysofanxiety]

Maybe I’ll be proven wrong, but this thing just screams “flop”.

$6 Billion already?!

In the other thread people were complaining Apple weren’t spending enough if they wanted great content.

Apple have the capital and it’s not like they need to have been in TV/film before as it’s all third party anyway. They just need to ensure there aren’t creative restrictions (which seems to be the case based on what Cue said) and there’s no reason this couldn’t take off as a result.

 

[rjp1]

I couldn’t even finish the trailer for the Morning Show. They are going to invest in a lot of really bad content.

I knew this was going to flop as soon as I saw the reports that Timmy was getting involved in the content.

[doublepost=1566255425][/doublepost]

In the other thread people were complaining Apple weren’t spending enough if they wanted great content.

Apple have the capital and it’s not like they need to have been in TV/film before as it’s all third party anyway. They just need to ensure there aren’t creative restrictions (which seems to be the case based on what Cue said) and there’s no reason this couldn’t take off as a result.

The creative restrictions will kill this.

 

[Ar40]

So many naysayers, lol. Everyone has an opinion, I guess, even the peanut gallery.

 

[decypher44]

Waaaay overpaying! Wow.

 

[chukronos]

Well.... I'm interested. So, I'll sign up to try it out. I'm glad they're shelling out the money to potentially bring some good content.

 

[ElectricPotato]

They needed to buy one of the other streamers...

Apple executives plan to produce what they believe is beyond existing player's capability. Whether that turns out to be arrogance will soon be seen.

My guess is they grunt out a few productions that are not outright horrible and then start to lose interest when it becomes clear Apple content is nothing special.

 

[azentropy]

Some of the shows look good with great casts. However like I've said before and others have expressed - I'm not really looking for yet another streaming service to add or more content. I already have dozens of series queued up that I don't have time to watch/finish!

 

[decypher44]

Well.... I'm interested. So, I'll sign up to try it out. I'm glad they're shelling out the money to potentially bring some good content.

Money does not always translate to a good product. Yes, your odds tend to be better for success, but if the product doesn’t perform, then the loss is that much larger (not to mention bad press on big-budget flops).

 

[JPLC]

This feels wrong in so many ways.

 

[coolfactor]

I'm going to be amazed if there is even one show I'm interested in watching.

They've been teasing us with the quality of the productions through their recent ads. Personally, I'm stoked. We've all seen the really good Netflix productions, and I think Apple will top those.

I just really hope it's not too much pro-US content. That always irks me. Focus on a great story.

 

[Unity451]

There's. Just. Too. Much. Content.

 

[rawweb]

Too bad they can't spend any of that cash on the Mac division. Would be nice to have quicker production and lower costs on the products we need to create content! The Mac Pro is a joke, can't believe it's taken so long to turn this thing.

 

[ghostface147]

Apple needs hits right from the get go. And more than one. Their own Stranger Things, their own Haunting on whatever street that was, OITNB....shows that generate buzz quickly.

 

[TVreporter]

Way too much content out there - although granted it’s probably a great time to work in Hollywood these days either in front or behind the cameras

If Apple doesn’t at least price match Disney and Netflix (who raised Canadian prices another $3 starting this month) then its streaming service is dead on arrival. Hopefully they offer a packaged deal with Apple Music or something different to entice subscribers.

 

[cardfan]

They needed to buy one of the other streamers (or Fox). Don’t see how they have enough content to warrant a streaming service.

Easy choice between this and Disney plus.

Cant say Disney plus interests me. Lots of content not even ready til 2020 or 2021. Existing content? I own the movies that I’d have any interest in. Kids (mine) don’t care about Disney either.

Apple I’ll wait on. But wow. 6 billion and they’ll never recoup that with their service alone. Better sell some channel subs.

 

[Guda.FL]

My hope that it will not be watered down. :/

Though disney+ took my money. But never know the shows could be great.

 

[MarkB786]

Just not sure I get it. This is a pure hope-for-profit play in an area way outside AAPL's wheelhouse in an attempt to continue to add shareholder value when your main business has truly flattened out. What great hardware/software could have come out of a $6bn investment there? And why spend his money on something that will be forgotten in 10 years? Great hardware and software can be revolutionary and life-changing, but television shows always die and fade over time. Just not something you build a lasting legacy on.

 

[Bin Cook]

And we’re all paying for it whether we subscribe or not.

 

[kingofwale]

6 billion spent with 0 subscriber so far.

15 billion by netflix with very stable base... Sorry Apple, you will flop hard here.

 

[eeboarder]

There’s too many streaming services, and Apple is late to the game. I’m not holding much hope here....