No Apple TV+ subscriber living in the U.S. or U.K. can view any ads on the streaming platform, but there is a possibility that all of this will change in the future. According to a new report, the technology giant is in talks with relevant authorities regarding the data collection of users required for monitoring advertising results. However, this move could be one way of reducing its expenditure on creating original content, a figure that is estimated to have crossed the $20 billion mark.
There have been efforts to bring an ad-supported option to Apple TV+ in the U.S. since 2022, but little has come of it
Apple is said to be in discussions with the U.K. Broadcaster’s Audience Research Board (BARB), according to The Telegraph. The reason for these meetings is to explore additional data-collection techniques, as the organization possesses viewing figures for Apple TV+ programming. BARB also provides data for all main networks in the U.K. so the company can receive relevant figures for its audience in this region. As for those living in the U.S., the Cupertino giant has attempted to bring an ad-supported option in 2022, but it appears that Apple and the authorities could not reach a common ground.
At this time, Apple TV+ commands a negligible 0.2 percent viewership in the U.S. in online streaming, with Netflix securing the top spot. A measly market share, paired with exorbitant expenses, is a volatile combination, which is why Apple’s Senior VP of services, Eddy Cue, was previously reported to have sought the help of two Hollywood studio chiefs, Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, to watch the platform’s budget. Severance, an Apple TV+ original, finished filming Season 2 after Season 1 garnered a ton of eyeballs, but it too has been an expensive endeavor, with costs mounting to $20 million per episode.
Disney+ and Netflix have accumulated new subscribers by introducing an ad-supported tier, so it is likely that Apple will witness the same results. There is also a possibility that the company announces a low-cost option that includes ads in regions where Apple TV+ is available, but that will be a discussion for another time.
News Source: The Telegraph
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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