Prime Highlights:
Apple released its TV+ streaming service for Android devices, marking a rare move outside its own ecosystem.
The launch significantly expands Apple’s market, especially with Android holding a 72% global share.
Key Background:
Apple made a significant move by releasing the Apple TV+ app for Android devices. This marks a rare departure for the company, which typically prioritizes its own iOS and macOS platforms when it comes to app releases. The decision underscores Apple’s strategy of maximizing the potential of its Services division by making popular offerings like Apple TV+ accessible across a broader range of devices, including Android.
Apple’s expansion into the Android ecosystem is particularly strategic, given that Android commands a 72% global market share, according to StatCounter. While the U.S. still sees a higher prevalence of iPhones, the global reach of Android presents a substantial opportunity for Apple to attract new users and boost engagement with its services. The move also reflects the growing importance of Apple’s Services division, which has become the company’s second-largest revenue stream, following iPhone sales. In 2024, Apple’s Services division generated over $100 billion in revenue, encompassing a wide range of offerings, including subscriptions like iCloud and Apple Music, advertising, and partnerships such as search deals with Google.
Apple TV+, which has become a key component of Apple’s service portfolio, is known for hit shows like Ted Lasso and Severance, as well as live sports programming, including Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball broadcasts. Despite Apple not releasing official viewership statistics, third-party estimates suggest that the service holds a smaller share of the American TV market. Priced at $10 per month, Apple TV+ is also included in various bundles alongside other Apple services.
This release marks Apple’s second major foray into the Android ecosystem, the first being the launch of Apple Music on Android a decade ago. Users can now download the Apple TV+ app via the Google Play Store and access content using their Google accounts. While Apple did not disclose specific revenue-sharing terms with Google, both companies typically retain about 15% of the revenue generated through their respective app stores.
