Apple has increased prices for its streaming service, Apple TV+, worldwide, including in the UK. The monthly subscription cost has risen by £1 to £9.99 a month, doubling the price it was when launched in 2019.
Existing subscribers will have until their next renewal period, 30 days after, before the new price is applied. In contrast, new users will see the increased price from day one.
In the US, monthly prices have jumped from $9.99 to $12.99. Despite not publicly disclosing subscriber numbers, estimates suggest around 25-45 million people access Apple TV+ monthly.
Analysts attribute the rise in costs to the traditional pay-TV model adopted by many streaming services, including annual price increases. Paolo Pescatore, a technology analyst, says this is a natural shift as streamers seek to expand their programming offerings.
The increase follows two years without a price hike for Apple TV+. Other popular streaming services have also raised prices in recent months, with Disney+ and Paramount+ seeing changes in October and November.
Apple’s lack of ad-supported options may be an advantage, but analysts believe the company needs to better communicate its benefits compared to rivals. With “plentiful opportunities” for new content and users seeking unique stories, Apple TV+ aims to remain competitive in a rapidly changing streaming landscape.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1le9l6pee5o