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When it started releasing original content, Netflix proved that people would be willing to pay for a service that offers its own television shows and films. Many other streaming services have also been moving away from showing regular content released in theaters or televisions. Though it costs more to make it, unique media can encourage people to use the streaming service. New information reveals that Apple is the latest company to start following this trend.
Apple Hopes to Increase Profit With Original Media Content
Apple got its start as a computer designer, but they now have plans to further expand their technology related products and services. The giant tech company has revealed that it has plans to create original movies and television shows that will be streamed to paying viewers. This new business strategy is intended to make more profit for Apple and increase the amount of subscribers to their streaming service.
Some approve of this project because it is a change from Apple’s most recent decisions that seemed to stagnate after the death of former CEO Steve Jobs. Though it might be a new idea for Apple, it is also apparent that the company has gotten the concept from other popular streaming services. Now that Netflix and Amazon have proved that people are willing to pay extra for original, creative media, Apple wants to also get into this new potential market.
This new undertaking is currently being led by Jimmy Iovine, the chief of the Apple Music division. Though the name implies that this service is just for streaming music, Iovine hopes to expand it to cover other types of media. Iovine told The Hollywood Reporter,
At Apple Music, what we’re trying to create is an entire cultural, pop cultural experience, and that happens to include audio and video… We’re going to do whatever hits popular culture smack on the nose. We’re going to try.
Currently the music division is a $10 a month streaming service that does not contain many videos. In the past, they have shown videos of Taylor Swift concerts and documentaries about the music industry. It seems that these music-themed videos were just the first test towards unrolling a lot of content through their streaming services.
One of the first projects will most likely be a top-secret show, which is named “Vital Signs,” that Dr. Dre has been producing for them. Not much is known about this, but it is apparently going to be a dark drama with six episodes. Apple has hinted at plans to release the entire season at one time, just like Netflix does.
The new move towards original content could help the company become more competitive in the online streaming market. They currently only have half the Apple Music subscribers that Spotify does, and the amount of people who rent their streaming movies and television shows does not even begin to compare to Netflix’s millions of subscribers. Offering unique, critically acclaimed videos could encourage more people to try out the service, and users may stick around even after viewing all the original content.
When Will Apple Users Get This Unique Content?
So far, Apple has not provided a lot of information on their exact timeline. Nothing is actually in production yet, so it is unlikely that anything will be released soon. However, Wall Street Journal reports that Apple may begin offering at least some original content by the end of 2017. These original television shows would be aired on the Apple Music streaming service which may end up being renamed to something more appropriate.
Image source: pexels.com/photo/apple-logo-on-white-surface-90787/
Lori Martinez
Throughout her professional career, Lori has had the opportunity to work on a vast number of breaking news stories. She holds a diploma in Social Sciences from New York University, and her passion lies in covering topics that are useful to society. When she’s not working, Lori can be found in various volunteering centers, donating her time to those in need of it.
