In a move that has come as no surprise to many in the industry, Apple Inc is set to make its long-awaited foray into the world of film. And that with an ambitious plan to spend $1 billion a year on streaming services. This news comes following reports earlier this week that Apple commits itself to release feature films in multiple theatrical markets across the globe.
GTN / Apple Inc will be using theatres and cinemas to market its streaming services.
The move marks a major shift for Apple, which had traditionally been focused on device and software sales rather than content creation or distribution. However, with Hollywood's box office numbers dwindling, it seems like Apple is looking to capitalize on the momentum of streaming services. How? Well, by investing heavily in film production and distribution.
What This Means for Cinemas
The announcement of Apple's commitment to multiple theatrical releases has mixed reactions from the world's leading cinema chains. Some welcome the news. And others have expressed concern that it could lead to more competition in an already crowded market.
BBC / With Apple entering into the film industry, cinemas will see a new shift in the upcoming years.
On the one hand, Apple's commitment to spending $1 billion a year on streaming services could potentially open up new opportunities for cinemas to capitalize on the demand for content. But on the other hand, there is a real fear that Apple may try and compete directly with them by releasing its own films in multiple markets at once and thus bypassing traditional cinema release windows entirely.
Impact on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is expected to benefit significantly from Apple's new commitment to streaming services. The company suggests that it intends to invest heavily in creating original content for its platform. And reports indicate that more than $6 billion is set aside for this purpose.
This will include feature films and television series, as well as documentary projects and another programming. In addition, the increased investment in streaming services will likely help Apple TV+ attract more subscribers. With a wider selection of high-quality content available on the platform, there will be more incentive for users to pay for access.
USA Today / The tech giant foresees that the number of Apple TV+ subscribers will double after this massive investment.
Furthermore, Apple's financial backing and extensive reach into multiple markets across the globe is no secret. With this investment, the tech giant is all set to gain a significant foothold in the streaming industry.
The move could also have implications for other existing streaming platforms. For instance, Netflix and Hulu will be in a threadbare competition. Consequently, it could lead to reduced prices or exclusive deals on content not available elsewhere.
Ultimately, Apple's ‘billion-dollar’ commitment to film release and streaming services could have far-reaching implications for both cinemas and the global media landscape at large. As the company continues to invest in creating high-quality content over the coming years, we should expect an ever-larger presence of its products in our lives. Both on big and small screens.
