Apple announces new TV subscription service to rival Netflix
Not content with letting Google be the only tech company making a big announcement, Apple also scheduled an event for today (March 25) to reveal its own big news.
While The Big G has jumped into the gaming streaming service space, the iPhone manufacturer is instead looking to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime with its own TV subscription service.
And we’re off #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/nEaX0yLi8R
- Matt Hill (@gethill) March 25, 2019
Taking to the stage, Apple CEO Tim Cook first talked about their overhauled Apple News+, throwing shade at other news feeds that use less trusted sources, while revealing 300+ magazines will be coming to the service.
Apple also revealed that advertisers won't be able to track what you read in their app, and their subscription package can accessed by the whole family for $9.99. It's also available today for US and Canadian users with a free first month. An Australian and European rollout is expected to begin later this year.
It all looks very nice, and those live covers are very swanky, but that's not what we're all here for, so let's move onto the good stuff.
Apple TV is getting a huge overhaul, which includes content from streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime, ESPN and PlayStation Vue all in one app for one price, alongside your purchases from iTunes and a multitude of TV channels from cable.
Related: Apple announces big update to its AirPod earphones
Apple says you can pay for what you want, watch online or off and without adverts. In essence, this app is going to group your different subscriptions under one roof, with recommendations and notifications personalised to you, and the ability to subscribe to different services without opening other pages or apps.
The upgraded Apple TV app will be coming as part of a software update in May to a whole host of different devices. For the first time ever, that means on Mac and on Smart TVs, even ones created by Samsung and Sony. If that's not all, it's coming to devices like the Roku TV Stick as well!
Apple are going to launch this service in over 100 countries too, so Americans don't get all the fun.
Ooooh Britbox bottom left there. BBC and ITV confirmed! pic.twitter.com/Crl6P2pTk4
- Matt Hill (@gethill) March 25, 2019
Tim then followed this up with the launch of Apple TV+, which is Apple's own subscription service of original exclusive content.
Elsewhere during the show, Tim announced an extension to Apple Pay called the Apple Card, which aims to be a secure virtual credit card that helps you keep track of payments and includes a daily cashback scheme.
The company also states that low interest and other fees will help people keep on top of the credit, which sounds really good if it takes off.
Games got a mention too, with the launch of Apple Arcade. This is a subscription service for mobile, tablet and TV that will allow access to a curated selection of iOS exclusive games that are usually paid-for upfront. Think Xbox Game Pass rather than Google Stadia.
Similarly, the monthly subscription will cover the whole family, but a price hasn't been announced yet. It will come out in Autumn.
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