Starting later this month, Prime Video subscribers will be able to subscribe to Apple TV+ through Amazon. Specific details about the business agreement between Apple and Amazon are unknown. However, Apple apparently believes it can reach more subscribers by offering TV+ as an optional subscription for Prime Video subscribers.
This quote from Eddy Cue, included in an Amazon press release, says it all:
“We want to make Apple TV+ and its award-winning library of shows and movies from the world’s greatest storytellers available to as many viewers as possible,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “We’re thrilled that Prime Video will now offer Apple TV+, giving viewers an incredible range of viewing options.”
Meanwhile, Amazon’s offering of “a single payment relationship in one convenient app” is what will convince Prime members to sign up for Apple TV+ in this new way. Apple similarly sells video subscriptions to competing services through the Apple TV app’s Channels feature. Prime Video isn’t one of those services yet.
Why Subscribe Through Amazon?
What’s interesting about this partnership is that it doesn’t actually expand the reach of Apple TV+ yet. Apple TV+ is generally available wherever Amazon Prime Video is offered. However, it could help potential Apple TV+ subscribers get past the hurdle of figuring out how to sign up for Apple TV+ through Apple.
A common misconception about Apple TV+ is that you need an Apple TV box to access the streaming video service on your TV. In fact, Apple TV+ is available through the Apple TV app on almost all smart TVs, set-top boxes and sticks, game consoles, and on the web.
Subscribing to Apple TV+ through Amazon Prime Video will provide a proper app experience on Android. However, if Apple’s goal was to improve the TV+ experience on Android, then bringing the Apple TV app to Android would give Apple more control over the user experience.
Apple TV+ through Prime Video will cost the same $9.99 per month as Apple TV+ directly from Apple. Prime Video is a separate subscription that ranges from $8.99 per month to $17.98 per month.
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