Amazon and Apple finally team up
Apple and Amazon have struck a deal that will bring Apple TV+ to Amazon’s Prime Video channels later this month. It will be offered as a subscription add-on for Prime Video subscribers and will cost $9.99/month. Apple+ brings exclusive content to Prime including Ted Lasso, The Morning Show and Severance and Major League Soccer. It also joins other leading SVODs including Max, Paramount+, AMC+ and Starz who have teamed up with Amazon.
The Circana Take:
- Has Apple conceded owning the bundle and customer relationship to Amazon? Maybe. But the benefit to Apple will be greater scale that provides the ability to offer its producers reach to a larger audience.
FreeCast launches YouBundle
Startup FreeCast has launched YouBundle, a new feature that simplifies the streaming process by aggregating SVOD services including Netflix, Disney+ and Max, and vMVPDs including Fubo and YouTube TV. Users can manage their subscriptions and search and discover movies and shows on these services through one app. They can sign up for services through the FreeCast app and pay for all of them in one consolidated bill using a virtual Mastercard number provided to the SVOD/vMVPD providers for billing. For content that is not free or available on a service subscribed to, customers can buy or rent it from online storefronts including Amazon, iTunes, or Google Play.
The Circana Take:
- Subscribers are faced with challenges keeping track of all their services and content. This feature could help alleviate the frustration.
DirecTV to launch new FAST service
DirecTV will be launching a new FAST service called MyFree DirecTV in November. Programming will include Fox Weather; reruns of “Duck Dynasty,” and SportsGrid, (live sports betting coverage, news, and analysis). The FAST service will include linear and on-demand content and will be available through mobile, and on select smart TVs and streaming devices. MyFree will compete with Pluto TV, Tubi and the Roku Channel. DirecTV just increased rates for Satellite TV and DirecTV Stream subscribers.
The Circana Take:
- If the buyout of DISH/Sling TV goes through this will be yet another example of directly overlapping assets the combined company will need to sort out. The timing of this launch seems somewhat odd given the larger corporate agenda.