Apple and Paramount reportedly in talks to bundle streaming services

Apple and Paramount are reportedly discussing potentially bundling their streaming platforms to offer combined offerings. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal would come in an offering that would cost less than subscribing to the platforms separately.  

The talks between the two companies are still in early stages, and it is unclear what approach the bundle could take, said the report. 

Apple TV+ was launched by Apple in 2019 as a "new home for the world’s most creative storytellers", housing exclusive original shows, movies and documentaries. Users can watch the shows across Apple’s devices, smart TVs and streaming devices. 

Currently, Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, for US$9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial.   

Paramount+ is an American subscription video-on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by Paramount Global, offering various famous movies and shows to viewers. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Apple and Paramount for a statement.

The report comes after the players in the media industry initiated plans to combine their streaming services.  

Back in November, streaming giant Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max reportedly inked deals with Verizon to bundle the two services at US$10 a month, much less than the US$17 when consumers pay for the two services separately, according to the Wall Street Journal.  

Sowmyanarayan Sampath, chief executive of Verizon Consumer Group, said earlier this week on LinkedIn that the company’s Plus Play marketplace, a portal to its extensive content offerings, has been a “smash hit” among customers and great for its content partners with churn among consumers down 60 to 70% compared to the average.  

On a similar note, American grocery delivery app Instacart announced last week that Peacock Premium is now available to all Instacart+ members in the United States at no additional cost. 

Instacart+ is available for a flat standard fee of US$99 per year or US$9.99 per month, and members enjoy unlimited free delivery on orders over US$35 in as fast an hour, lower service fees, 5% credit back on eligible pickup orders, and the ability to create shared family accounts.

Under the partnership, Instacart+ members can access Peacock and order their TV time treats, movie night essentials from Instacart’s more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners across the US. 

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