A bombastic union in streaming? Apple and Paramount consider merging platforms

A surprising union in the segment of streaming is about to happen. The international media has already started to speculate about this news, and the rumors are only increasing behind the scenes.

We are talking about the union between Apple and Paramount. The two companies are in talks to combine their streaming services, that is, Apple TV+ and the Paramount+.

The idea would be to bundle everything into a single package and offer it to viewers at a discount. So far, the subject has been dealt with in a preliminary manner. The Wall Street Journal has reported on the matter.

Initial negotiations aim to create a package with a lower price than subscribing to both platforms separately.

As negotiations are at an early stage, it is not yet clear how this would happen or in what format.

Silence from both companies

Paramount+ was launched in 2021 and already has more than 63 million subscribers. Photo: Reproduction

When contacted by the media, the two companies preferred to remain silent. Apple did not respond to requests for comment and Paramount said only that it did not wish to comment.

It is worth remembering that Paramount is a relatively new company in the streaming segment. The platform debuted in 2021 and already has more than 63 million subscribers, according to the financial statement for the third quarter of 2023.

Unlike its “friend”, Apple does not usually disclose data of this type in its quarterly reports. The streaming service of the owner of iPhones was released in the United States in November 2019.

Package changes

Both Apple and Paramount have recently adjusted subscription prices for their streaming services.

In the case of Apple TV+, the price went from R$14.90 to R$21.90. The adjustment, announced last month, applies to Brazil, the United Kingdom, U.S and Europe.

At Paramount+, the increase occurred earlier this year; however, in November, the service launched subscription plans with premium options and ads. The Premium Plan arrived in Brazil for R$34.90 per month or R$309.90 per year.

The ad-supported option has not yet been released in Brazil, as it will first be tested in international markets starting in 2024. Among the locations planned for testing are Canada and Australia.