How about a ‘super bundle’ of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+ (and iBooks+)

According to an October report from the Financial Times, Apple was in discussion with records labels to bundle Apple Music and the upcoming Apple TV+ into a “super-bundle” of music, movies, and TV shows. Let’s hope tis happens soon and includes Apple News+ and Apple Arcade (and perhaps iBooks+!).

The FT said that some record labels are on board, but at least one major label is leery. The article added that a price for such a super bundle hadn’t been determined.

What should Apple charge for a “super bundle”? Apple Music costs $9.99 per month (with a $4.99 tier for students). Apple TV+ costs $4.99 per month. Apple Arcade costs $4.99 per month, and Apple News+ is $9.99 monthly. That adds up to $30. I’d pay $25 for such a bundle. It would make it simpler to have three subscriptions instead of one.

And such a bundle might benefit more of Apple’s services. Apple Music seems to be doing gangbusters. However, the tech giant says that Apple News app is used by 100 million people a month in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the UK, but hasn’t disclosed the number of paying customers, as it has done for Apple Music.The company has been similarly vague about demand for other newer subscription offerings. On a recent call to discuss quarterly financial results, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said the new video streaming service, Apple TV+, is off to a “rousing start” and that it’s being judged internally based on subscriber numbers. 

When it comes to a “super bundle” (or perhaps a separate subscription service): how about iBooks+, an ebook subscription service. Mark Williams posted such an interesting idea on TNPS in January 2018. Here are some highlights of his suggestion: 

° “Much of the content would be supplied by ‘traditional publishers,’ including some or all of the Big 5,

° “Indie authors could submit titles with no exclusivity conditions.Æ

° “An ebook subscription service with big name authors for readers, and better ° 

° Combine that with an Apple Books Store that was available on any device” [not just Apple hardware].

Throw in an ebook subscription into the Apple Super Bundle and I’ll happily pay $30 a month.

How about you?