Apple TV could reportedly be soon following in the footsteps of the likes of Netflix and Disney by offering a cheaper package price for their hit TV shows, only with adverts included.
It has been claimed Apple bosses have recently met with representatives from audience measurement body Barb to discuss options for change in the very near future.
Apple executives wanted to discuss the potential options for tracking advertising for its Apple TV Plus subscription service, according to The Telegraph, to look at potentially expanding to allow a cheaper subscription service to run alongside it’s current streaming options.
Apple already monitors the time viewers spend watching Apple TV Plus content but the tech giant would need to add more "data collection techniques" for advertisers in order to be able to charge them.
The company is said to be considering a cheaper tier than its standard £8.99 per month Apple TV Plus subscription, or could even introduce ads to existing subscribers.
If given the green light by bosses, Apple would be the latest in a line of streaming service using advertising to boost profits.
Netflix, Disney, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery have all launched advertising on their respective subscription video services.
Netflix with launch their ‘Basic with Adverts’ this year in what will be their lowest priced advert-supported plan – on November 3.
Basic with Adverts will cost just £4.99 a month in the UK and will give users the opportunity to watch all of the content available in the higher priced plans, only with adverts.
Already the service is available in countries including the US, and bosses say the ad-supported tier has so far been a success, bringing in 45 per cent of all new signups where it's available.
So far, Netflix has said that fewer than 20 per cent of its 277 million plus overall subscriber count pay for the cheaper ad-supported plan.
Apple TV has so far has relied on increasing subscription prices for its Apple TV Plus to bring in more revenue rather than heading down the route of advert introduction. The company most recently raised prices late last year as part of broader price hikes for its Apple Arcade gaming service, Apple News Plus subscription and Apple One bundle.
