Apple will unveil both its streaming TV service and its news service in a star-studded event on March 25, says Bloomberg. The report’s sources are the usual “people familiar with the plan.”
The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is planning a March 25 event to announce both services, according to people familiar with the plan. The iPhone maker invited Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and director JJ Abrams, to attend, one of the people said.
Plans for the event were leaked yesterday, but at the time it was believed Apple would only be unveiling its much-rumored News subscription service. The Cupertino firm’s rumored streaming TV service will also premier.
The event will be held at the Steve Job Theater, located in the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The previously mentioned actors – Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner – are all starring in upcoming shows for Apple. JJ Abrams is directing one of them.
The streaming service is expected to be similar to Netflix and Amazon Prime’s offerings. The service will offer movie and television series either produced by or acquired by Apple. The Cupertino firm is rumored to have over two dozen original productions in the works.
Although the Bloomberg report indicates Apple will deliver its content via a paid streaming service, other reports have indicated that at least some of the content will be available for free to Apple device owners. Currently, the company already offers a handful of free shows, such as “Carpool Karaoke” and “Planet of the Apps.”
Reports have indicated Apple will work with other content providers, such as Showtime and other streaming services, to offer Apple device owners the opportunity to add-on services like Showtime through its TV app.
In addition to the streaming TV service, the firm is expected to unveil its premium news service that will allow subscribers unlimited access to paywalled content from major news sites for a $9.99 per month subscription fee. The device maker is reported to still be in negotiations with the news providers, which include the Washington Post and The New York Times.