Apple today announced via a press release that its Apple Music, iTunes Movies, and iBooks services are now available to customers in China. The company says that Apple Music is launching in China with “millions” of songs, including local artists like Eason Chan, Li Ronghao, JJ Lin and G.E.M, as well as international stars like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.
From the iTunes Store, users in China will be able to rent or purchase movies. Again, a variety of films from Chinese studios are available, as well as globally recognized hits. From the iBooks Store, customers will be able to enjoy both free and paid books.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, had the following to say regarding Apple’s expansion into China:
“Customers in China love the App Store and have made it our largest market in the world for app downloads. One of the top requests has been more great content and we’re thrilled to bring music, movies and books to China, curated by a local team of experts.”
Following a slight delay with the launch of the iPhone 6 last year, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus were launched in China during the first wave of countries this time around, likely heavily contributing to Apple’s record breaking sales of the device. The company sold 13 million units during the launch weekend. The further availability of online services in China will only lend itself to more sales in China, as well. In the country, Apple music will cost 10 RMB/month for a single user, while a family plan providing service for up to six family members will be available for just 15 RMB/month. The same 3 month free trial also applies.
BEIJING–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today announced that Apple Music™, iTunes® Movies and iBooks® are now available to customers in China. Apple Music combines an extensive and diverse music library with the knowledge of world-class music experts who have programmed playlists and radio stations just for you. Launching with millions of songs in its catalog, Apple Music in China features music from artists including Eason Chan, Li Ronghao, JJ Lin and G.E.M., as well as a wide range of international artists including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and many more. Fans can also rent or purchase movies from a great selection of Chinese studios as well as Hollywood blockbusters on the iTunes Store®, in addition to enjoying paid and free books from the iBooks Store℠. For the first time, customers in China will have access to Apple’s entertainment ecosystem with music, movies and books right at their fingertips.
“Customers in China love the App Store and have made it our largest market in the world for app downloads”
“Customers in China love the App Store and have made it our largest market in the world for app downloads,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “One of the top requests has been more great content and we’re thrilled to bring music, movies and books to China, curated by a local team of experts.”
Apple Music
Apple Music is a single, intuitive app that combines the best ways to enjoy music — all in one place. You can stream any Apple Music song, playlist or album, and download it for future offline listening. Our world class music experts have programmed an abundance of playlists for any genre or activity, in addition to creating hand-crafted radio stations powered by Apple Music’s extensive music catalog. Apple Music also offers an invaluable way for artists to connect with fans. Through Connect, artists can share lyrics, backstage photos, videos or even release their latest song directly to fans from their iPhone®. Apple Music in China features an incredible selection of local and international music from all the major and many independent labels, with more music being added regularly. Customers can enjoy Apple Music on their iPhone, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac®, PC and Android phones.*
iTunes Movies
Through the iTunes Store, customers can rent or purchase movies, with most titles available in stunning HD, and enjoy the ultimate movie experience from any device, wherever and whenever they want. Check out recent blockbusters such as “Jurassic World,” “Furious 7” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” as well as movies from local studios including Bona, Huayi Brothers and 1905. With iTunes Extras®, customers can also experience special features such as behind-the-scenes footage. As a token of appreciation, the recent Chinese hit, “The Taking of Tiger Mountain,” will be offered for free to all customers in China for a limited time.
iBooks
The iBooks Store offers customers a wide selection of both paid and free Chinese language books from top local publishers, including “Big Head Son & Little Head Dad” by Zheng Chunhua, “The Family Belongings of Chinese People” by Ma Hongjie, and for the first time in China, Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series will be available in a digital format. Purchased books are available anytime on customers’ Apple devices.
With iCloud®, all of your iTunes purchases can be accessed from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC regardless of which device you used to make the purchase. iCloud also remembers where you are in your favorite movies or books no matter which device you’re viewing them on.
Pricing & Availability
Starting on September 30, music fans in China are invited to a three-month trial membership of Apple Music, after which a 10 RMB/month subscription fee will apply. There will also be a family plan providing service for up to six family members available for just 15 RMB/month. Apple Music requires initial sign up. At the end of the trial period, the membership will automatically renew and payment method will be charged on a monthly basis until auto-renewal is turned off in account settings. Family plan requires iCloud Family Sharing. Visit http://www.apple.com/cn/icloud/family-sharing/ for more information.
Movies on iTunes will be available starting at 5 RMB for rental in HD and 18 RMB to buy new releases in HD. Paid iBooks start at 0.5 RMB.
*Apple Music will be coming to Android phones this fall.
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, the Mac and Apple Watch. Apple’s three software platforms — iOS, OS X and watchOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website (www.apple.com/pr), or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.
© 2015 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Music, iTunes, iBooks, iTunes Store, iBooks Store, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, iTunes Extras and iCloud are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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Also no TV rentals, just like in The Netherlands. What’s up with that?