Report: Apple to Sell Ad Space for TV+ Next Year, Hinting at Possible Ad-Supported Tier

Apple has reportedly held discussions with media agency and network executives about the prospect of selling ad time on its Apple TV+ streaming service, leading to speculation that an ad-supported tier could eventually be in the offing, possibly as soon as next year.

apple tv plus banner
According to DigiDay, Apple's advertising chief Todd Teresi has led meetings with holding company executives to sell video advertising space, with more discussions reportedly on the cards in 2022. Citing an anonymous source, the report claims Apple has not asked one agency's network to put aside client dollars in the fourth quarter, suggesting the ad time could be available in early 2023.

Apple is aiming to triple its ad revenue from $4 billion per year to double-digit figures by expanding its advertising to more apps and services, and Apple executives clearly see TV+ as having untapped potential.

Currently, Apple's advertising spots are spread over display ads in its News and Stocks apps, as well as for apps in the App Store, across iPhone, iPad and Mac. Apple also already generates revenue on ‌Apple TV‌+ with commercials during MLB Friday Night Baseball streams, although those spots are sold by MLB. In 2023, it will be the exclusive home of Major League Soccer for the next 10 years, with ad space and sponsorship deals shared by both Apple and MLS.

It's not clear how Apple might intend to inject ads into its $4.99-a-month TV+ streaming service, but it could potentially be a lucrative revenue driver if the company was to follow the lead of Netflix and Disney+ by providing an ad-supported tier.

Apple still has a limited amount of original content compared to other streaming services, and it is unable to draw the same subscriber numbers as Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+. By offering an ad-supported or even free subscription plan, Apple could increase its low audience figures without sacrificing its commitment to premium original programming and movie content.

In May it was reported that Apple's senior vice president of services Eddy Cue had restructured services management with the aim of focusing more on streaming and advertising. As a result, Teresi has taken on more responsibility and has been reporting directly to Cue since the beginning of the year.

Since then, Apple has been in talks to secure more sports content deals, including a deal for a Big Ten college football and basketball streaming package. Rumors indicate that Apple is also pursuing the National Football League's Sunday Ticket package. In the past, it has also discussed a content deal with Pac-12.

With each effort Apple makes to ramp up its sports offerings, another window of opportunity for ad revenue presents itself. Whether the ad sales strategy that evolves from these moves will fundamentally change the perception of TV+ as a privacy-first player in the streaming services market remains to be seen.

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iPhone 16 Pro Max 80% Charge Limit: One Year Later, Was It Worth It?

Wednesday September 24, 2025 3:58 pm PDT by
With the iPhone 15 series, I did an experiment and kept my iPhone's Charge Limit set at 80 percent for an entire year. It provided an interesting look at the impact of charge limits on battery longevity, so I decided to repeat it for the iPhone 16 line. Since September 2024, my iPhone 16 Pro Max has been limited to an 80 percent charge, with no cheating. As of today, my battery's maximum...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 1

Monday September 22, 2025 12:44 pm PDT by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about. New Apple Intelligence Languages Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPo...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Skipped the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What is Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

Tuesday September 23, 2025 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead. Below, we have recapped some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far. This story was published previously, and it has been updated to reflect the latest rumors. Many early rumors prove to be true, but nothing is confirmed yet, and Apple's...
apple tv 4k new orange

Next Apple TV Expected to Launch This Year With These New Features

Monday September 22, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
The next Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Likely Features N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7 Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is...
iPhone 17 Pro USB C Port

iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C Charging Speeds Tested With Apple Chargers

Monday September 22, 2025 7:29 am PDT by
The website ChargerLAB has tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple's chargers, from 18W to 140W. The device reached a peak charging speed of around 36W with the following Apple chargers:40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max 61W USB-C Power Adapter 67W USB-C Power Adapter 70W USB-C Power Adapter 96W USB-C Power Adapter 140W USB-C Power AdapterFor...
AirPods Pro 3 Newsroom

Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3

Wednesday September 24, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Apple's annual "Back to School" promotion for students ends soon, so act fast if you want to score free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad. Until Tuesday, September 30, college students and qualifying educational staff in the U.S. can receive free AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation when they purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad from Apple. This is a $179 value. ...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Apple Blames In-Store MagSafe Chargers for iPhone 17 Pro Display Model Scratches

Wednesday September 24, 2025 10:22 am PDT by
The marks on the iPhone 17 Pro models that people have noticed at Apple retail stores are caused by the chargers that Apple uses, Apple confirmed today. Apple told 9to5Mac that worn MagSafe charging stands in stores are causing marks on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple says that the marks are not scratches, and are instead material transfer from the stand to the phone. The...
ios 26 digital id passport wallet

Apple Confirms iOS 26 Wallet Passport Feature is Coming in 2025

Tuesday September 23, 2025 1:06 pm PDT by
Digital ID, the iOS 26 feature that lets U.S. passport holders add their passports to the Wallet app, is coming later in 2025, Apple confirmed today. Apple updated the release timing wording of Digital ID on its iOS 26 features page. "Digital ID will be coming later this year with US passports only," it reads. Prior to today, the footnote for the feature said "Digital ID will be available ...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

iOS 26.1 Adds New Apple Intelligence Languages and Expands AirPods Live Translation

Monday September 22, 2025 11:15 am PDT by
With iOS 26.1, Apple Intelligence is gaining support for additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. Apple announced plans to expand the languages that can be used with Apple Intelligence last year, and now the added language support is here. Apple Intelligence is now available in the following...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro is Vulnerable to Scratching, But Not Where You Might Think

Tuesday September 23, 2025 2:18 pm PDT by
Early reports have suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air are more vulnerable to scratches and scuffs, primarily due to damage spotted at Apple Stores. Apple customers have discovered that the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models Apple has out for display at its retail locations have scratching in the area of the MagSafe charger. Those devices are handled by hundreds to thousands of...

Top Rated Comments

fwmireault Avatar
39 months ago
If they add ads like they did so awfully on News+ even for paying subscribers, I won’t keep my Apple One Premier subscription. I am already paying a lot for their services, I don’t want to be exposed to all these ads. I don’t mind if they create a cheaper plan with ads, but I dont want to see any on mine
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
x5tuu Avatar
39 months ago
If they added adverts it wouldn't shock me if the ad-supported-tier was actually free.

I dont think ATV+ is worth $5/mth as it is and adding ads makes it even less valued IMO.

(I do know thats unlikely though)
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rck1984 Avatar
39 months ago
Maybe focus on some decent content first, Apple TV+ is barely worth it.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IllinoisCorn Avatar
39 months ago
Please don't, Apple. Please.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CoMoMacUser Avatar
39 months ago

If they add ads like they did so awfully on News+ even for paying subscribers
Agreed. So annoying. I've also noticed that more and more articles require an additional subscription, such as Barron's.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eldaerenth Faexidor Avatar
39 months ago
Please continu to offer an ad-free tier, I genuinely dislike ads. Yikes.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)