An ad-supported lower-cost tier could be coming to Apple TV+ in the near future.
Apple has long been rumored to be in talks with various ad agencies in an effort to bring some level of advertising to its Apple TV+ service. While the service remains ad-free currently, this could be changing — at least in the UK.
Currently, BARB provides viewing statistics for all four main networks in the UK: the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Fox-owned Sky. The organization also provides Apple with viewing figures for Apple TV+ programming.
Apple has already accommodated limited advertising on its service, but thus far it has been limited to live sports events. Ads were included in last year’s Major League Soccer coverage, for example, even for Season Pass holders.
The company is also said to have reduced its spending on Apple TV+ after having spent some $20 billion on programming thus far. Other services, including Disney+ and Netflix, have attracted additional subscribers through lower-cost, ad-supported tier offerings.
Apple recently hired an advertising executive formerly with NBCUniversal to join a team of other video advertising executives. It seems likely that Apple will eventually offer a lower-cost option that includes ads, alongside the current ad-free tier, in countries where the service is available.
