Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Netflix No Longer Offering In-App Subscription Options on iOS Devices
Netflix is no longer allowing new or resubscribing members to sign up for a Netflix subscription using an in-app purchase via the App Store, Netflix today told VentureBeat. The change appears to have been implemented late last month.
Earlier this year Netflix experimented with disabling in-app subscription options for Netflix subscribers in a number of countries, and as of today, Netflix says the experiment has concluded and the change has been rolled out to the entire Netflix platform.
As described on a Netflix support page, iTunes billing options are no longer available to new or rejoining Netflix customers. Those who currently pay for their subscriptions via iTunes can continue to use iTunes billing until their accounts are cancelled.
When opening up the Netflix app on an iOS device, there are no longer fields for signing up for a Netflix account within the app nor are there instructions on how to obtain a subscription, likely to avoid violating Apple's App Store rules. The app simply offers a sign-in window and says that members who subscribe to Netflix can watch within the app.
Apple's App Store Review Guidelines prohibit developers from asking iOS users to use a purchase method other than in-app purchase, which Netflix is skirting by offering no sign up options at all.
iPad and iPhone users who want to sign up for Netflix will now need to do so through the Netflix website rather than through the Netflix app.
Netflix undoubtedly made this change to avoid paying subscription fees to Apple. Apple collects a 30 percent commission on all subscription fees during the first year after a subscriber signs up for a service using an iOS app, and 15 percent every year thereafter.
Netflix does not need to pay the subscription fee for customers who sign up for the service outside of the App Store, and this change means that Apple will not be able to collect a portion of the $7.99+ subscription fee from future Netflix subscribers.
Update: A Netflix spokesperson provided the following statement to MacRumors, calling Apple a "valued partner":
Earlier this year Netflix experimented with disabling in-app subscription options for Netflix subscribers in a number of countries, and as of today, Netflix says the experiment has concluded and the change has been rolled out to the entire Netflix platform.
As described on a Netflix support page, iTunes billing options are no longer available to new or rejoining Netflix customers. Those who currently pay for their subscriptions via iTunes can continue to use iTunes billing until their accounts are cancelled.
When opening up the Netflix app on an iOS device, there are no longer fields for signing up for a Netflix account within the app nor are there instructions on how to obtain a subscription, likely to avoid violating Apple's App Store rules. The app simply offers a sign-in window and says that members who subscribe to Netflix can watch within the app.
Apple's App Store Review Guidelines prohibit developers from asking iOS users to use a purchase method other than in-app purchase, which Netflix is skirting by offering no sign up options at all.
iPad and iPhone users who want to sign up for Netflix will now need to do so through the Netflix website rather than through the Netflix app.
Netflix undoubtedly made this change to avoid paying subscription fees to Apple. Apple collects a 30 percent commission on all subscription fees during the first year after a subscriber signs up for a service using an iOS app, and 15 percent every year thereafter.
Netflix does not need to pay the subscription fee for customers who sign up for the service outside of the App Store, and this change means that Apple will not be able to collect a portion of the $7.99+ subscription fee from future Netflix subscribers.
Update: A Netflix spokesperson provided the following statement to MacRumors, calling Apple a "valued partner":
We no longer support iTunes as a method of payment for new members. Existing members who currently use iTunes as a method of payment can continue to do so.
Apple is a valued partner with whom we work closely to deliver great entertainment to members around the world across a range of devices including the iPhone and Apple TV.
Tag: Netflix
[ 358 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
9 months ago
Why?
Because Apple doesn't deserve the 30% of the $7.99 or higher monthly from Netflix or any other company.
9 months ago
Apple needs to charge less. I hope more big content providers do this to send a message
9 months ago
Smart on Netflix's part. They know the value of their service is independent of Apple at this stage. If you want to watch Netflix on a device, you'll figure out how to create an account and watch Netflix on a device.
9 months ago
Great news. The 30% cut on IAP is absurd. No more milking free money for doing nothing Apple.
9 months ago
Good. Apple isn't doing anything to earn that 30% they are getting from every sub.
9 months ago
Because Apple doesn't deserve the 30% of the $7.99 or higher monthly from Netflix or any other company.
I disagree with you. Netflix wouldn't have the reach if it wasn't for Apple, a fee should be paid to the exposure each of these companies are having. Apple has made Netflix billions with it's over 1 billion activated devices around the globe, this is all about greed and just watch, Netflix will increase their fees in 2019 even though they're saving 10's of millions.
9 months ago
Because Apple doesn't deserve the 30% of the $7.99 or higher monthly from Netflix or any other company.
Who cares what Apple deserves? As a consumer, this was an easy way to save 10-20% on a Netflix subscription by buying discounted iTunes credit.
My subscription is still billed through iTunes. Should Netflix decide to cancel that, they're going to lose me as a customer.
9 months ago
Netflix does not have a sustainable business model with or without Apple's cut.
I'd like to know how you come to that conclusion. Attached is gross profit year over year.[ Read All Comments ]
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