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Apple TV+ raises subscription prices worldwide, including in UK | Apple TV+ raises subscription prices worldwide, including in UK |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Britt Lower stars in the Apple TV+ sci-fi epic Severance | Britt Lower stars in the Apple TV+ sci-fi epic Severance |
Apple TV+ has put up its prices in the UK and worldwide for monthly subscribers, as the cost of streaming continues to rise. | Apple TV+ has put up its prices in the UK and worldwide for monthly subscribers, as the cost of streaming continues to rise. |
The platform's cost per month has gone up by £1 to £9.99 a month, though annual prices have stayed the same at £89 per year. | The platform's cost per month has gone up by £1 to £9.99 a month, though annual prices have stayed the same at £89 per year. |
It means an Apple TV+ monthly subscription is now double the price it was when launched at in the UK in November 2019. | It means an Apple TV+ monthly subscription is now double the price it was when launched at in the UK in November 2019. |
Apple told the BBC while the price was in place for new users immediately, existing subscribers would have until 30 days after their next renewal before they started paying more. | Apple told the BBC while the price was in place for new users immediately, existing subscribers would have until 30 days after their next renewal before they started paying more. |
"Since its launch, Apple TV+ has expanded its deep library of hundreds of Apple Originals, with thousands of hours of premium programming across genres and brand-new releases weekly – all ad-free," a spokesperson said. | "Since its launch, Apple TV+ has expanded its deep library of hundreds of Apple Originals, with thousands of hours of premium programming across genres and brand-new releases weekly – all ad-free," a spokesperson said. |
In the US, Apple TV+ users will see a larger price increase from $9.99 to $12.99 per month. | In the US, Apple TV+ users will see a larger price increase from $9.99 to $12.99 per month. |
Apple does not publicly disclose the number of people subscribed to its streaming service. | Apple does not publicly disclose the number of people subscribed to its streaming service. |
However, Statista put this number at an estimated 25m paid subscribers in 2022, in addition to 50m people accessing the service through a promotion. | However, Statista put this number at an estimated 25m paid subscribers in 2022, in addition to 50m people accessing the service through a promotion. |
Tech blog The Information put this number at 45m in March when it reported Apple TV+ was losing more than $1bn (£750m) annually. | Tech blog The Information put this number at 45m in March when it reported Apple TV+ was losing more than $1bn (£750m) annually. |
The streaming service has gained increased prominence after a string of big shows, including the sci-fi hit Severance and Seth Rogen-led show The Studio. | The streaming service has gained increased prominence after a string of big shows, including the sci-fi hit Severance and Seth Rogen-led show The Studio. |
"The streaming business is following the traditional pay TV world with annual price rises," Paolo Pescatore, technology analyst at PP Foresight, told the BBC. | "The streaming business is following the traditional pay TV world with annual price rises," Paolo Pescatore, technology analyst at PP Foresight, told the BBC. |
"We should get accustomed to these price rises, as streamers seek to broaden their diversified programming portfolio." | "We should get accustomed to these price rises, as streamers seek to broaden their diversified programming portfolio." |
'Plentiful opportunities' | 'Plentiful opportunities' |
It is the first price increase for the platform in nearly two years. | It is the first price increase for the platform in nearly two years. |
By contrast Netflix has raised prices annually and costs anywhere between £5.99 and £18.99 a month. | |
Other streaming service have also seen price rises in the past year, with Disney+ going up to between £8.99 and £12.99 in October, while Paramount+ prices went up to between £4.99 and £10.99 in November. | Other streaming service have also seen price rises in the past year, with Disney+ going up to between £8.99 and £12.99 in October, while Paramount+ prices went up to between £4.99 and £10.99 in November. |
The cheaper options offered by these services are supported by ads, which Apple TV+ does not show. | The cheaper options offered by these services are supported by ads, which Apple TV+ does not show. |
"We are in a golden era of storytelling, and users still want to immerse themselves in unique content," said Mr Pescatore. | "We are in a golden era of storytelling, and users still want to immerse themselves in unique content," said Mr Pescatore. |
"There are plentiful opportunities to reach new audiences, whether with big theatrical productions or opportunistic moves into acquiring live sports. | "There are plentiful opportunities to reach new audiences, whether with big theatrical productions or opportunistic moves into acquiring live sports. |
"All that is changing is the distribution and Apple is well-positioned with its vast user base - however, it needs to do a better job of articulating its merits over rivals." | "All that is changing is the distribution and Apple is well-positioned with its vast user base - however, it needs to do a better job of articulating its merits over rivals." |
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