Apple Inc. has decided to increase the prices of its subscription services, including Apple TV+, Arcade gaming, and News+. This move is aimed at generating more revenue for the company's services division, which has become increasingly vital for its overall growth.
The cost of Apple TV+ has been raised from $6.99 to $9.99 per month, marking the second price increase in its history. When the streaming service was launched in 2019, it was initially priced at $4.99. Additionally, the annual subscription for TV+ will rise to $99 from $69.
Notably, this price hike will also impact the bundled subscription plans known as Apple One. The basic plan, which includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage, will now cost $19.95 per month, up from $16.95. The Family plan will see an increase of $3, making it $25.95 per month. The Premier plan, which adds News+ and Fitness+ to the bundle, will be available at $37.95, up from $32.95.
Apple has stated that the price adjustments are a response to the significant milestones achieved by Apple TV+ since its launch four years ago. The service has gained recognition and acclaim with its wide range of award-winning series, feature films, documentaries, and family entertainment content.
These price increases by Apple come as other streaming giants, such as Netflix, have also raised their subscription fees. Apple TV+ has been expanding its content library, offering a diverse selection of original movies and TV shows that have garnered positive reviews from critics. The company has also been making strides in the gaming industry by adding more games to the Apple Arcade platform.
It is worth noting that Apple is not only raising prices in the United States but also in international markets. Roughly a year ago, the company increased the price of its Apple Music subscription from $9.99 to $10.99.
While the price hikes might not be welcomed by some users, they reflect Apple's ongoing efforts to enhance its services and continue providing quality content to its subscribers.