The Second Surge in a Year: What’s Happening to Apple TV+ Subscription Fees
Let’s get straight to the point—your Apple TV+ subscription just got more expensive. If you’ve been crunching numbers and noticed a slight (read: noticeable) hike in your monthly budget, this is probably why. Only last year, the price tag shifted from $4.99 to $6.99. Fast-forward to now, and it’s a whole new ball game with the fee catapulting to $9.99 a month. Oh, and if you thought an annual subscription would soften the blow, think again. That, too, is up from $69 to $99.
“Since launching four years ago, Apple TV+ has made history for streaming services by crossing major milestones in a short span of time, thanks to its extensive selection of award-winning and broadly acclaimed series, feature films, documentaries, and kids and family entertainment,” commented an Apple spokesperson.
A Move Beyond Apple TV+: Other Services See a Price Bump Too
It’s not just Apple TV+ that’s feeling the price bump; other Apple services are riding the same wave. Variety recently reported updates on Apple’s website indicating an uptick in fees for Apple Arcade and Apple News+. The upside? Loyal subscribers get a 30-day grace period before these changes kick in on the next billing cycle.
Why Apple Thinks You’ll Keep Subscribing
Ever been hooked to an episode of the Emmy-winning ‘Ted Lasso’ or been moved by the Academy Award-winning ‘CODA’? Apple is betting you have. The tech giant believes its hefty roster of critically acclaimed shows and movies will keep you around, despite the bigger hole it’s burning in your pocket. There’s also a selection of Major League Soccer matches and Friday Night Baseball live games, not to mention a plethora of Peanuts specials for the kids.
“Apple TV+ remains confident in its ability to maintain, if not expand, its user base,” according to the latest from Variety.
Apple Arcade’s Turn: What’s in Store for Gamers
For those unacquainted with Apple Arcade, let’s just say it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet, but for games. Launched in 2019, it’s seen its subscription fee nudged from $4.99 to $6.99 as well. However, an Apple representative assures us it’s money well spent.
“Apple Arcade has grown exponentially since its debut, continues to offer players unlimited access to hundreds of incredibly fun games, nearly tripling the titles available when the service first debuted in 2019, with exciting new games and updates added monthly,” said the representative.
Is Premium Content Worth Your Dollars?
What’s the endgame here? Is Apple relying solely on its premium content to retain subscribers, or is there more to it? The response from you, the subscriber base, will be the judge, jury, and executioner for Apple’s latest strategy. So, the ball is in your court. Will Apple TV+ and its siblings in the Apple ecosystem be able to justify these price hikes? Time will tell.
Up Next: Catch Apple’s Latest Theatrical Release
While you mull over whether your Apple subscriptions are worth the uptick, make your way to the theaters for Apple TV+’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon‘. It’s yet another bid by Apple to prove they’re more than just another streaming service in a crowded market.
So, with that, what will it be? Swipe or skip on the new Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade subscription fees? Stay tuned, because only the future will reveal whether Apple’s gamble will pay off.
