Apple announces Apple TV+ video streaming service, will be available in 100+ countries including India this fall

Apple has officially forayed into video streaming market with Apple TV+. Apple anunced long-rumored Netflix-rival Apple TV+ video streaming service at a star studded 'It's show time' keyte event at Steve Jobs atre at Apple Park, California on Monday night. While exact pricing and availability specifics are still under wraps, Apple confirmed that Apple TV+ will launch in over 100 countries including in India this fall (sometime in September). 

Apple TV+ service will be part of a new and updated Apple TV app - which will also see Apple hosting on-demand TV channels and third-party streaming services including Hulu and Amazon Prime Video (but Netflix) all under one roof (available in May). Moreover, Apple will be also bringing its Apple TV app to Mac, smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio, as well as streaming devices from Amazon and Roku - so more people will be able to access its new service(s).  

Apple is touting Apple TV+ as an -free original video subscription service that will allow subscribers to stream "a host of original shows, movies and documentaries, created by world’s most celebrated creative artists, including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Wirspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan, Jon M. Chu and more." 

“We’re hored that absolute best lineup of storytellers in world - both in front of and behind camera - are coming to Apple TV+,” Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to give viewers a sneak peek of Apple TV+ and cant wait for m to tune in starting this fall. Apple TV+ will be home to some of highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet.”  

Apple is said to be investing over $1 billion to produce in-house original content this year - but Netflix is spending even more. And fact that Apple did t have any trailer to show off its new collaborative efforts show re's still a lot of work to be done. But going by Apple's history and its bang-on services game (thanks to a billion Apple devices worldwide), Apple might just be able to pull this off. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how Apple approaches its next frontier, especially in India where its products/services generally cost more in comparison to say in US.