In a world full of streaming platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Videos, Apple has jumped into the fray with its premium content consumption offering, the Apple TV+. The service is already live in several parts of the world, and apparently, Indian users will be able to access it after 12:30 p.m. The Cupertino-based company, which posted its highest Q4 revenue ever, unveiled the service in March this year. As per the financial results for its fiscal 2019 fourth quarter, Apple’s subscription services revenue reached an all-time high of $12.5 billion.
Just like its competitors, Apple TV+ has a library of popular movies, shows, and original TV programmes like See, which stars Jason Momoa, and a space-related show called For All Mankind. Users have an option to choose shows from various genres, including drama, horror, and comedy. Further, the app will also let users buy/rent movies and TV shows from iTunes. What’s more, the service will be available on Android TVs and Amazon Fire TV Stick as well as on Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.
Citing Apple, a media report said that instead of the quantity of the content, Apple will focus on the quality of its shows. Reportedly, Apple ‘won't create the most’ number of shows for its TV+ service. Instead, it will make the ‘best’ shows in the business. The service will be available on the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac, and other platforms, including online at tv.apple.co.
The Apple TV+ is available at Rs 99 per month with a seven-day free trial. The service will also allow sharing, that is, up to six people can access the app. Further, those who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or Apple TV will get one-year free access to Apple TV+. All the mentioned devices already have the Apple TV app. It is also available on selected Samsung smart TVs. The company says that it will be bringing the Apple TV experience to more smart TVs, streaming boxes and streaming sticks in the future.
As far as the service’s USP is concerned, Apple promises New Originals every month, ad-free experience, and streaming of in-demand shows, facility to download and watch content offline, and 4K HDR quality with Dolby Atmos sound. ‘Users can subscribe to and watch new Apple TV channels — paying only for services they want, like HBO, SHOWTIME and Starz — all on demand. Apple TV channels include popular services such as HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, Noggin, and new services like MTV Hits, with more to be added over time around the world,’ Apple said.
Apple TV+ may have a lot of international shows and is priced competitively in India, but its competitors have local shows and movies in local languages that give them an edge over the iPhone-maker’s service. Apple hasn't announced any Indian shows for the TV+ but it may include some in the future.
Netflix has a total of four plans in India. The first one is a mobile-only plan that costs Rs 199. It is available only for the Indian users and supports only one screen at a time. If you want to access the service on multiple devices, you can choose from Rs 499/month basic plan, Rs 649/month standard plan, and a premium plan that costs Rs 799/month.
As far as Amazon Prime Videos is concerned, users can pay Rs 999 for a year’s subscription or can opt for Rs 129/month option. Apart from these famous players, there are other streaming services in the country, like Hotstar, Zee5, Eros Now, and Sony Live.
