Apple TV+ Launches First Content Bundle
Apple's first content bundle offers subscribers Showtime and CBS All Access for $10/month, a 52% discount over standard rates. The bundle will give up to six family members access to CBS and Showtime’s content without ads. Of course, you still need an Apple TV+ subscription in order to take advantage of the deal.
The NPD Take:
- Apple has a content problem with limited choices (especially original content) on its service compared to alternative streaming options. As a result, the company needs compelling bundles to build a stronger content portal to retain its customers – especially as the majority of these customers are on free trials at this point in time.
- Apple will need to continue expanding content and differentiating themselves in the overcrowded streaming market that includes Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus.
Movies Anywhere Becoming Movies Everywhere
AT&T’s DirecTV is the latest pay TV provider to join Disney’s digital movie service Movies Anywhere. Other providers also supporting the service include Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Xfinity, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, FandangoNOW and Verizon Fios TV. Digital content purchased through DirecTV will be accessible through Movies Anywhere.
The NPD Take:
- With the addition of DirecTV, Movies Anywhere is positioning itself to be the go to streaming service that consolidates all online movie content from different vendors in one digital library.
- DirecTV is a great complement to the other TV provider services that have already joined the Movies Anywhere service.
Verizon and Disney Expand Partnership
Verizon and Disney are expanding their partnership to add the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle for free for Verizon customers who subscribe to the “Play More Unlimited” or “Get More Unlimited” packages. Disney charges $13 a month for its three-service bundle, so it’s a nice little perk for Verizon users. Last October, the companies announced their initial tie-in, which gave 12 free months of Disney+ to all new and existing 4G LTE and 5G unlimited wireless customers as well as FiOS internet households.
The NPD Take:
- Promotional integrations remain popular among competitors like Apple, AT&T and T-Mobile, and time will tell whether Verizon’s latest promo bundle will help increase their customer base and loyalty among existing customers.
- This is a timely move as the pandemic has left limited options outside the home and boosted overall streaming activity.