Apple TV+ Gets Into Licensing to Better Compete With Netflix m50l Amazon, Disney: Report

Apple TV+ has also reportedly spent $70 million to acquire Tom Hanks’ new WWII movie Greyhound. 473y6z

By Akhil Arora | Updated: 20 May 2020 11:36 IST

Apple TV+ Gets Into Licensing to Better Compete With Netflix, Amazon, Disney: Report

Photo Credit: Akhil Arora/Gadgets 360 3n5v4r

Highlights

Apple TV+ launched in November with originals-only
In talks to license ‘older’ Hollywood TV shows, movies
They won’t be ‘huge franchises or blockbusters’

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Apple has finally realised that Apple TV+ originals aren't enough. The iPhone maker is reportedly getting into the back-catalogue business, in a bid to compete with the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. It is in talks with Hollywood studios to license their “older” content for Apple TV+ and has already purchased some TV shows and movies. There's no word on what those are, but they aren't “huge franchises or blockbusters”. This comes on the heels of Apple picking up the Tom Hanks-starrer World War II drama movie Greyhound. Unclear if the two are related.

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And while Apple TV+ is cheaper than most streaming services in other countries, in India (Warner Bros., paired with local and international originals. Apple TV+ also has a limited app offering, with nothing for Android / Android TV, Windows 10, and gaming consoles.

Naturally, that shows in subscription numbers. About 10 million had subscribed to Apple TV+ by February, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg, but only half — 5 million — are active s. That pales in comparison to Disney+, which also launched in November and has amassed over 50 million subscribers, despite being in fewer territories than Apple TV+. Some of that is thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that is keeping most at home.

Tom Hanks in Greyhound
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures

The pandemic is also the reason behind the news of the acquisition of Hanks' Greyhound , first reported by Deadline. Apple paid $70 million (about Rs. 529 crores) for the Sony Pictures movie, which was expected to be a major theatrical release for the studio. It was slated to release in June globally, but with theatres shut due to coronavirus, Sony has seen fit to send the film straight-to-streaming. Apple TV+ hasn't set a release date for Greyhound yet.

Can Netflix force Bollywood to reinvent itself? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS. You can also the episode or just hit the play button below.

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