Everything seems to indicate that Apple is closing an agreement to offer users of Apple TV a subscription service to three production companies of the stature of: HBO, Showtime, and Starz. We know the information through a report published by Recode few hours ago. Until now, the service would only be available in the US but this would be a platform to boost service in the different divisions of these or other content distributors. In this way, Apple would come into play on the competitive board of pay television services.
At the same time, Apple would be able to differentiate itself from the competition, since these services are usually offered: either as independent services, or as a complement to a grid of cable or internet channels, as is the case with the main telephone and television operators. Therefore, the option presented would be in mode bundle or several applications in the same batch. It is a strategy used on other occasions by Apple, such as the recent release of video and audio editing applications, at a lower price, than purchased each separately.
As an example, Apple sells the service HBO on its platform for television at the price of $ 15 / month, $ 11 / month in the case of showtime and hire Starz It is priced at $ 9 / month. So far we do not know the price of these services if we contract them together.
Apple's plans go through offering the service through Apple TV and iOS. On the other hand, if you repeat the promotion model used with Apple Music, we may have a limited promotional period, which offers us a trial of the service at a lower price.
However, the possible agreement may still be far away. According to official industry sources:
Apple does not have a bundle agreement with any of the high-end networks. Representatives for HBO, owned by Time Warner, and Showtime, owned by CBS, declined to comment. Representatives for Lionsgate-owned Starz and Apple did not respond to requests for comment.
Perhaps the presentation of the agreement will occur with the presentation of the 5th generation Apple TV, which predictably offers support for 4k.