Apple is partnering with Amazon to offer its video streaming service, Apple TV+, as an add-on subscription through Prime Video in India, a move that could expand its user base in the country amid rising competition in the world’s second-largest internet market.
The service will be available to Amazon Prime members for a monthly fee of Rs 99, the company said on April 2. Apple TV+ first launched on Prime Video in the United States in October 2024 and is now available as an add-on subscription in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and various territories in Europe and Latin America.
“Viewers have been loving the ability to subscribe to Apple TV+ on Prime Video and we’re pleased to now launch this offering in India,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Services. “We want to make Apple TV+ and its award-winning library of series and films from the world’s greatest storytellers available to audiences around the world.”
The launch comes after Apple debuted the Apple TV app on Android in February 2024, as part of its efforts to boost revenues of its fast-growing services business.
In India, Apple has also partnered with Airtel to bundle Apple TV+ and Apple Music with the telecom operator's premium postpaid and WiFi plans.
Apple debuted Apple TV+ in India in November 2019 for a monthly subscription of Rs 99.
Amazon Prime members will have access to Apple TV+'s original programming which includes comedies like Ted Lasso and Shrinking, dramas such as Severance, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, and Disclaimer, sci-fi shows like Silo, and hit movies like Wolfs and The Gorge among others.
“We're delighted to continue to roll-out Apple TV+ on Prime Video with the launch in India today bringing Prime Video customers an even greater selection of TV shows and films, all in one app experience,” said Kelly Day, Vice President of International, Prime Video.
Apple TV+ joins Prime Video India’s collection of add-on subscription services such as Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, BBC Player, MGM+, Sony Pictures – Stream, Anime Times, Crunchyroll, Animax+GEM, CN Rewind, FanCode, Channel K, Chaupal, Hoichoi, and Manorama Max.
This initiative is part of Amazon Prime Video's efforts to become an entertainment "super app" in the country.
“Over the years, we’ve built Prime Video India as a first-stop entertainment destination offering a wide selection of premium programming including Indian and international Originals, movies and series on our service, and over 75,000 hours of additional content selection across genres through over 25 Indian and international add-on subscription partners,” said Gaurav Bhasin, head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals), Prime Video, India.
“We are certain that Prime members in India will enjoy the easy access to Apple Originals with a simple add-on subscription, along with all the features of Prime Video, like streamlined content discovery, unified watchlists, and centralised billing” he said.
Amazon recently bolstered its streaming presence in the country by merging two ad-supported services — Amazon miniTV and MX Player — into Amazon MX Player.
The online retail giant faces stiff competition from India's largest media conglomerate JioStar, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and Disney. JioStar recently merged JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar to launch the streaming platform JioHotstar.
In March, JioHotstar announced that it surpassed 100 million subscribers in India.
Other prominent players in the market include Netflix, ZEE5, and Sony LIV.
Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
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