One of the reasons I love Apple TV Plus so much is that, like the BBC broadcaster, the only ads it runs are those for its own programmes. It's one of the most viewer-friendly streamers, which means when it recently hiked its prices dramatically that still felt better than going down the ad-supported route like Netflix, Prime Video or Disney Plus. As we reported at the time, Apple TV Plus is "one of the last bastions of ad-free cost-effective streaming services". But now that appears to be under threat.
According to Business Insider, Apple has recruited a number of ad execs. Its most recent hire is NBCUniversal's Joseph Cady, who was with the network for 14 years as the executive vice-president of advertising and partnerships with responsibility for both data-driven and targeted TV advertising. Apple has also reportedly been testing a new AI-powered tool, similar to one that Meta and Google utilize, for optimizing App Store ads.
