Apple TV+ is reportedly in talks with the U.K. ratings body to discuss the possibility of bringing ad-supported tiers on its streaming plans.
Apple executives have already reached out to the Broadcaster's Audience Research Board (BARB) to talk about the additional data collection for advertising.
Apple TV+ With Ad-Supported Tiers Might Come Soon
BARB is a huge ratings agency in the U.K. that currently works with other streaming companies like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon. The agency holds the record on Apple TV+'s impact on the audience such as the time spent on the platform.
As of writing, nothing has been finalized yet from both BARD and Apple. However, the meetings are a good indication that the tech giant is planning to adopt a new subscription tier for its subscribers.
Apple TV+ is currently available for $9.99 per month. The streaming service has already experienced two price hikes from 2022 and 2023. Rumors also suggest that Apple could debut a $4.99 monthly introductory price for its ad-supported tier, similar to its first subscription price in 2019.
Streaming Platforms Continue Hikes, Introduce Ads
Several streaming companies have been actively working to boost their customer count and revenue by introducing new tiers. For instance, Netflix reported a 34% growth in its ad-supported membership in the recent quarter.
Previously, streaming platforms were introduced with different tiers based on the connected devices with no ads in place. However, the new streaming plans are now laced with ad-supported and ad-free tiers, giving customers a cheaper or more expensive way of viewing.
Apple TV+ could potentially use its advertising venture to support its plan to acquire more programming outside its own studio. Last week, the company was reportedly in talks with several studios to gain more streaming licenses.
