Apple Looking to Bundle Services Like Apple Music and Apple TV+ for One Flat Monthly Rate

Monday October 7, 2019 9:35 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple is in early discussions with record labels about bundling Apple Music and Apple TV+ as part of a "super-bundle of media content" for one flat monthly rate, according to a report from the Financial Times.


While some record labels are said to be open to the idea, the report claims at least one big label has voiced concerns, adding that the industry is growing more wary about its relationship with Apple. In particular, the report claims record labels are worried that the bundle would lead to lost revenue.

The report adds that the two sides have not yet discussed a pricing formula, so it is unclear what Apple would charge for its Apple Music and Apple TV+ bundle. It is also unclear if the bundle would extend to Apple's other subscription-based offerings like Apple News+, Apple Arcade, AppleCare+, and iCloud storage.

Apple Music costs $9.99 per month for individuals in the United States, with a $4.99 tier for students. Apple TV+ will cost $4.99 per month, with a free one-year subscription available to customers who purchase any iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, or Mac as of September 10 and later.

The total cost of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+, and Apple Arcade rounds to $30 per month, so the bundle would presumably undercut that amount to incentivize customers to subscribe to all of the services.

Apple TV+ launches November 1.

Tags: Apple Music Guide, Apple TV Plus Guide
[ 107 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
Razeus
15 weeks ago
I would personally like that. All their services for $24.99 and family accounts for $39.99. Music, TV, Arcade, News, and 1TB of cloud storage.

Please and thank you.
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
jst_testing
15 weeks ago
With storage! I think that's one place Apple can price better to include as part of a package
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
LiE_
15 weeks ago
This how Apple dominate in the future, wrapping everything into a nice bundle with an attractive monthly price.
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
jonnyb098
15 weeks ago


I guess I am not a target customer? I am not subscribed to any of these services. iCloud is expensive and clunky, probably the poorest cloud service out there feature-wise.

I have my music on my iPod and I don't find the need to pay monthly to listen to my music, if a song I like comes out, I will get it and put it in my list... it is that simple.

And Apple TV+... The only reason I will have it is because it came free with my purchase.

Apple News, who that?


iCloud is on average $36 per year for 250gb of storage.

Why anyone is NOT using iCloud is completely beyond me if you have multiple apple devices or a family with multiple devices. It's the one NO BRAINER everyone should be taking advantage of.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Baymowe335
15 weeks ago
Offering another bundled option for a slightly discounted rate is a good idea.

They should keep the a la carte as well.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
GeoStructural
15 weeks ago
I guess I am not a target customer? I am not subscribed to any of these services. iCloud is expensive and clunky, probably the poorest cloud service out there feature-wise.

I have my music on my iPod and I don't find the need to pay monthly to listen to my music, if a song I like comes out, I will get it and put it in my list... it is that simple.

And Apple TV+... The only reason I will have it is because it came free with my purchase.

Apple News, who that?

Edit: I DO have a cloud service... it just happen to be a better option than iCloud.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
Alan Wynn
15 weeks ago


I am not really thrilled with Apple services because of the expense. There is no question that I can afford their offerings, but what is reasonable? Forbes did a dissection of the costs last month:

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2019/09/10/apples-6-consumer-subscription-services-will-cost-you-100month/#47c69feb7266[/URL]

I am not paying $100 per month.


Their services do not cost $100.00 a month. As an individual, you would pay:

[LIST=1]
* $9.99 for Apple Music
* $9.99 for Apple News+
* $4.99 for Apple Arcade
* $4.99 for Apple TV+
* $0.99 (50GB), $2.99 (200GB), or $9.99 (2TB).

Or between $30.95 and $39.95 depending on storage.

A family of 6 would pay $5.00 more if the want to share the storage or they can each get their own storage at the listed prices.

The Forbes article is completely disingenuous (shocking, I know), in that it includes the hardware 0% lease program as a ”service”, and then takes the most expensive version of that to make it top $100.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
jonnyb098
15 weeks ago


Sorry Apple. I only reluctantly have a 99 cent iCloud sub. Apple
Music comes with Verizon but hardly use it. No interest in a bundle.

Well, thanks to people like you is the reason Apple Arcade even exists. Refusing to spend a few bucks on a game that led to the monstrosity of Free to Play games and now Apple swooping in with Arcade. A service that has to exist now for those of us who are perfectly and logically ok with parting with a few bucks per month for quality apps while OTHERS whine about spending a measly buck to back up your entire digital life.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
GeoStructural
15 weeks ago


iCloud is on average $36 per year for 250gb of storage. You are either extremely stingy or don't have a job.

Why anyone is NOT using iCloud is completely beyond me if you have multiple apple devices or a family with multiple devices. It's the one NO BRAINER everyone should be taking advantage of.


Hahaha... Have you checked the competition? OneDrive and Google Drive offer you more storage for better pricing plus access to services, real professional software and universal integration with all sorts of devices independent of manufacturer.

iCloud web is primitive compared to what you can do in web-based Google Drive for example. Not long ago even drag&drop was not supported, and the website is still super clunky.

I do have a job by the way. Thanks... I also have a cloud service I rely on, it just happen to be a better option.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
DNichter
15 weeks ago
I am interested, all depends on cost.
Rating: 3 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]