Rumor: Apple to sell video subscription services through its TV app

Apple plans to sell video service subscriptions through its TV app instead of having them subscribe to them via individual apps, according to Bloomberg sources.

The TV app aggregates content from providers that provide subscriptions like HBO or NBA League Pass. Currently, Apple sends the customer to the service provider to subscribe. 

Offering in-TV subscriptions would move the streaming content to Apple’s app. The move could help Apple TV and the TV app compete against Amazon’s Channels program that offers subscriptions to HBO, Starz, and Showtime.    

Bloomberg says such a move — which “unnamed sources” say will roll out this year — would simplify the process and bolster Apple’s TV app on Apple TV, iPhones and iPads, making it a central place for people to find, watch, and buy content. It would also be another way for Apple to keep boosting its services business, which it expects to generate $50 billion a year in revenue by 2021.

Chances this rumor is true, per the Sellers Research Group (that’s me). Everything about it makes sense.

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