Apple continues to tread on the profitability path as it boasts an all-time high quarterly service revenue of $22.3 billion. As per the company’s latest financial year results, it is no surprise that Apple TV+ was one of the main drivers in achieving this feat, mainly via its Apple TV Originals.
Apple has consistently expanded its portfolio of original programming in recent years. According to Show Tracker, Apple TV+ released 22 new Apple TV Originals during the 2021/22 TV season, marking a nearly fourfold increase from the previous year's 2020/21 lineup. While Apple TV+ has cultivated various partnerships with major studios and production companies, including notable names like Lionsgate Television, Sony Pictures Television, and Universal Television, for commissioned content, it's noteworthy that they are progressively transitioning production to their in-house entity, Apple Studios. In the 2022/23 season, Apple Studios was involved in the creation of 7 out of the total 16 Apple TV+ Originals, signifying their growing in-house production prowess.
Apple has a substantial lineup of Original TV Shows slated for the forthcoming TV seasons. According to Show Tracker, Apple is preparing to release 29 upcoming Originals, with the majority of them falling within the Drama - Serial genre and format. Notably, 8 of these upcoming Originals are set to be produced by Apple Studios, underscoring the increasing importance of Apple's in-house production capabilities.
Apple TV+ has garnered widespread acclaim for its TV shows, maintaining a robust viewership for its content. This success has prompted Apple to continue releasing new seasons for several of its Originals, many of which have achieved notable recognition with Primetime Emmy Awards and other prestigious honours. 'Ted Lasso’ stands as the most popular Apple TV+ Original TV Show to date. It has earned an impressive 61 Primetime Emmy Award nominations since its inception and won 11 of them.
When it comes to the movie segment, Apple is introducing a new approach to film releases. Diverging from the standard practices of other major studios and streaming services, with the exception of Amazon, most of Apple movies have a limited theatrical release before being available on their streaming platform. Movie Tracker data reveals that over 50% of Apple TV+ original movies have had a theatrical release in each of the TV season. These theatrical windows are typically around 7 days, though some movies, such as 'On the Rocks' and 'The Tragedy of Macbeth,' have enjoyed 21-day windows before becoming accessible for streaming on Apple TV+.
According to recent reports, Apple has pledged to invest $1 billion annually to produce films for wider theatrical release prior to their availability on Apple TV+. This strategy aims to expand the subscriber base. In collaboration with major distributors, Apple is pursuing international releases with a minimum one-month theatrical window before reaching Apple TV+ audiences. Apple has already begun implementing this strategy by partnering with Paramount Pictures to co-release Apple's high-profile film, 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' in multiple theatres worldwide. Furthermore, Apple has entered partnerships with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Universal Pictures for international distribution for its upcoming movies, 'Napoleon' and 'Argylle,' respectively.
.svg)
