Apple TV

Apple targeting international release for upcoming video service after initial US launch

Chance Miller | Oct 23 2018 - 1:07 pm PT

The Information is out with a new report today in which it says the rumored Apple streaming service will be available in more than 100 countries, but not necessarily all at once. Citing people familiar with Apple’s plans, the report explains that the service will initially launch in the United States, but swiftly expand as time progresses.

The report elaborates, saying that the Apple streaming service will be available in the United States during the first half of 2019, and expand globally “in the following months.” This means that the initial launch will be limited to the United States, with the service expanding to other countries at later dates.

The Information also corroborates a report from CNBC earlier this month, which said that Apple’s original programing will be available for free to Apple device owners. It also echoes a Bloomberg report in claiming that subscriptions from other companies will become available for purchase directly through the TV app on iOS and tvOS.

Apple is in the midst of negotiations with programmers about what it will pay to carry their programs and movies through the TV app, the report adds. Additionally, while the Apple streaming service is expected to be available globally, the subscriptions offered via the TV app will likely vary on a country-by-country basis.

The Information likens this to Amazon Prime Video’s current global offering. The core Prime Video streaming service is available in 200 countries, but Amazon’s Prime Video Channels feature, which sells subscriptions to services like Showtime and HBO, is available in just four countries.

Apple is swiftly expanding its original content efforts. Just today, it was revealed that Steve Carell will make his return to television and join Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a drama destined for the Apple streaming service.