Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple to Offer Original TV Content Free to Apple Device Owners
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This makes the most sense. Apple has always been a hardware company first. They make money selling hardware. The software they make for that hardware is a part of the experience and a major part of what makes the hardware enticing.
Spending money developing shows is a better return on investment than spending the same money on ad and marketing campaigns. AppleTVs will fly off the shelves once Apple gets a must see hit show.
[doublepost=1539217262][/doublepost]
Apple content will be a worldwide launch. Negotiating broadcasting rights for third party tv shows is generally what holds these types of services from launching outside the US. If Apple owns the content, they can show it anywhere they want. There’s nobody else to deal with. Netflix has moved in this direction as they started producing their own shows. Every Netflix Originals show is available around the globe simultaneously.
Spending money developing shows is a better return on investment than spending the same money on ad and marketing campaigns. AppleTVs will fly off the shelves once Apple gets a must see hit show.
[doublepost=1539217262][/doublepost]
Apple content will be a worldwide launch. Negotiating broadcasting rights for third party tv shows is generally what holds these types of services from launching outside the US. If Apple owns the content, they can show it anywhere they want. There’s nobody else to deal with. Netflix has moved in this direction as they started producing their own shows. Every Netflix Originals show is available around the globe simultaneously.
I really don't think increasing hardware sales is Apple's primary purpose with this original content. People temporarily sign up to HBO and Netflix to watch shows, then quit when they're done bingeing. These people are not going to run out and buy a $100 Apple TV just because of a good series, they're going to run out and get a hacked Firestick for $25, if they don't already have one. Increase in hardware sells linked to great programming is going to be practically nothing for Apple.
Apple is (IMHO) creating all this original content so that they can weather the coming storm from the current content providers' actions. Everyone and their mother is looking to remove their content from services like Hulu and Netflix, and sell it via their own proprietary app. Apple is trying to protect itself like the other tech giants. Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Google all either already have, or they are actively pursuing, original content in TV, movies, games, news, and books. Apple cannot allow itself to be vulnerable.
I was quite obviously being hyperbolic, but some of your examples are absurd. GPS navigation? Are you kidding me? GPS navigation has been free for everyone from every company for years before Apple Maps. iCloud Drive is woefully inadequate and far below competitors with a measly 5 GB of free storage. Most of the rest are major selling points of Apple products which would be wildly overpriced if they weren't included, so labeling them "free" is debatable.
Yes, you were. So I felt free to do the same. Obviously.
The list counters "it is completely anathema to 2018 Apple to provide anything for free".
The value of each item is certainly debatable and I wouldn't bother to disagree with your points on the ones you identified. But identifying a few items of low value doesn't change the point of the list.
Not for nothing.... but G and PG content makes more money than R rated content.
I agree I've said for years apple should give free iCloud storage up to the size of your device(s)+5gb
that said im not holding my breath apple has gotten into the habit of giving you less with things you purchase and also not giving free benefits to paying customers.
its a great way to become the wealthiest company but it doesn't maintain brand loyalty, i'll believe this when i see it.
Potentially interesting, but this quote from the article suggests bland conformity to me: “Apple has more than a dozen original television shows in the works right now, with the company aiming to produce television shows with broad consumer appeal that won't taint its brand image. For that reason, rumors suggest Apple is avoiding risqué content that avoids nudity, raw language, and violence.” Shows that are hyper concerned with not offending anyone usually don’t entertain anyone either.
Impressive. Definitely a power move if it turns out to be true. Personally I think it’s brilliant. From what I’ve read so far, they look to have some really solid shows, writers, and actors lined up. Gonna be interesting to see how this plays out.
Tim doesn't care, he is like.. Iphone sales are up!
He doesn't care about Macs or productivity. He is an executive who has everything fed to him. He probably laughs at all the poor suckers who have to buy extra doggles just to get the same use as everyday windows laptops!
He doesn't care about Macs or productivity. He is an executive who has everything fed to him. He probably laughs at all the poor suckers who have to buy extra doggles just to get the same use as everyday windows laptops!
Don't worry you can find all the porn and gore you want on the rest of the web for when you are dying for that dismemberment scene or graphic rape scene that Apple is not including on their offerings.
[doublepost=1539226879][/doublepost]
Actually Apple's demographics are much older than you state. The average age is over 35 and they are above average education and income. So much for your theory.
Crappy!??!
Have you actually used it (them)?
Sure they have limitations, but I'll take Keynote and Pages over MS word and PP every single day of the year.
For educators the apple suite of free productivity proggies is extremely useful and they are really easy to use. I'd pull my hair out if I had to use MS word, Excel or PP. I just had a coworker swap over to Apple MBP and he says his ability to produce lessons and content is far better now than when he was on Windows.
In saying that, there are a few things I desperately wish Apple would add to Keynote, but this thread is not for that.
------------------
As for free TV shows... who cares. As if the programs Apple are going to make will be anything beyond bland. Like most of everything made for TV today it's all overly dramatic. Can we please get some edgy comedies back??? Without Curb, TV would be a barren wasteland for edgy comedy.
It's possible, they did it with Apple Music, but I think Apple likely sees it as a value add to their ecosystem. That's not something they would give away easily. I wouldn't be surprised if it were something they kept in house to drive people to their own hardware. It would be a big advantage.
It will be interesting to see how this affects Apple TV sales.
While I might check out the shows as I have an iphone/ipad, the main method I seriously watch stuff is on the TV but I wouldn't spend £149 on a device just for a few shows.
If hardware sales are the primary factor for locking the content, I suspect they'll eventually switch to a multi-platform subscription if the sales don't increase as much as desired but keep it locked if they do see results.
Either that or they'll do both from the get go and just make it free for Apple hardware.
While I might check out the shows as I have an iphone/ipad, the main method I seriously watch stuff is on the TV but I wouldn't spend £149 on a device just for a few shows.
If hardware sales are the primary factor for locking the content, I suspect they'll eventually switch to a multi-platform subscription if the sales don't increase as much as desired but keep it locked if they do see results.
Either that or they'll do both from the get go and just make it free for Apple hardware.
Does Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant support your language (no need to keep it secret)? And indeed for instance Apple Music is available in far more countries than Spotify or its other competitors. No reason to think this will be any different.
I said professionals. That excludes drunk office workers, who play dodgeball on weekends...
The other companies referenced are not giving you anything for 'free'; you're simply paying for it with your data, personal privacy, and time (by viewing ads), none of which really applies to the Apple services.
Ugh, I hate platform exclusives. It’s bad enough with games, don’t let it happen to TV!