Apple’s video streaming service could launch in April

Apple’s alleged Netflix-like video streaming service could launch as early as the first half of this year. It is being speculated  that the service may be launched in either April or May. The video streaming service is one of many services that Apple will be launching in this year. The Cupertino based tech giant has been in news because it plans to start a number of subscription services this year – a News subscription service, Gaming subscription service, Video subscription service, Music subscription service (an upgrade to Apple Music) among others.

According to a report on CNBC, Apple will not be partnering with segment leaders Netflix and Hulu, for its video streaming service. There are chances that HBO won’t come bundled with Apple’s video subscription service as well. So, we wouldn’t get to see any exclusive shows from these services on Apple’s video streaming service.

According to the company, its video streaming service is in its final stages of development and is nearly complete. Once completed, it will be commercially released to the Apple device owners only. Apple’s service will combine different streaming platforms so that it would become one big hub of streaming services. The users will have to pay the subscription fee only for Apple’s streaming service. The subscribed users can watch the shows on their iOS devices or TVs.

“We will participate in the original content world. We have signed a multi-year partnership with Oprah, but today I’m not really ready to extend that conversation beyond that point. We’ve hired some great people that we have a super amount of confidence in, and we’ll have something to say more on that later,” Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook said.

But Netflix, which is currently the biggest video streaming platform with a global reach has backed out of Apple’s deal. The reason is not clear but it seems Netflix is most likely planning to go solo and has decided not to partner with Apple. Hulu, another video streaming service, has also backed out of the deal.

HBO, which releases and makes its own shows and series, most popular of which is the Game of Thrones, was also being considered for the partnership. However, recent reports suggest that HBO may back out of the deal too.

Not just HBO, but other media companies are also worried about the deal Apple is offering them. However, this is not the only case where companies have pulled their feet back from partnering with Apple. Many other news and magazine platforms too have not joined Apple in its upcoming news subscription service. The reason the companies don’t want to partner with Apple is the technology giant is not offering them profitable revenue and the offer doesn’t seem to work in their favor.

Coming back to the video streaming service, reports have suggested that Apple would take 30% of the revenue generated per customer. Currently, the Cupertino based technology firm charges only 15% of the revenue generated (subscription and purchases) made by HBO Now, Netflix and other streaming apps on its App Store.

Till now the known services which are joining Apple’s streaming service are Lions Gate’s Starz, CBS including Showtime and Viacom. There are some big entertainment firm names as well which have joined Apple’s streaming service like Reese Witherspoon, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey Network. The subscribers will get the contents of these firms free of cost.