Apple merges CBS and Showtime with Apple TV +, announces new Music Radio Stations

As iPhone sales slowed, Apple relied on services such as the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV + to make a difference. And while the first of these is currently caught in the public controversy, Apple today announced new developments for Music and TV +.

First off, Apple says Apple TV + subscribers will be able to subscribe to a bundle that includes both CBS All Access and Showtime (both owned by ViacomCBS) for $ 9.99 per month after a 7-day trial, integrated with Apple- features like the TV app, Siri, and Family Day.

Subscribers to the bundle can access programming of both services in online streaming and offline download formats, and this bundle includes the ad-free version of CBS All Access. Since Apple TV + costs $ 4.99, that means the trio of services will come in at just under $ 15 – about the same price all together as HBO Max on its own.

Apple has also provided Apple TV + subscriptions for free with new purchases of Apple devices and in student programs, among others, so this means that many people can subscribe to the two ViacomCBS networks for $ 9.99 without first even for Apple TV + to pay.

While some content on Apple TV + has produced buzz in the industry (like the Tom Hanks car Greyhound), does not seem to make the service anywhere near the same impact as Disney +, which launched late last year around the same time. Apple can hope that this deal with ViacomCBS will provide a more attractive package.

Apple has found greater success with Apple Music. On the other hand, Apple has announced a rebranding of the radio station Beats 1 that launched five years ago alongside the streaming service of Apple Music. Beats 1 will now be called Apple Music 1, but this change will not be accompanied by a shift in programming or strategy; it is still a 24-hour radio station helmeted by famous DJs playing popular music, some of which are original.

But Apple is also announcing two new Apple Music 1-like radio stations, under a shared banner “Apple Music Radio”: Apple Music Hits (“performing everyone’s favorite songs from the ’80s,’ 90s and 2000s”) and Apple Music Country.They follow the same programming approach as mentioned above for Apple Music 1: celebrities and shows featuring human-curated, contemporary, popular music.The Apple press release lists the following talent for Apple Music Hits:

Apple Music Hits is hosted by daily hosts Jayde Donovan, Estelle, Lowkey, Jenn Marino, Sabi, Nicole Sky and Natalie Sky, George Stroumboulopoulos (“House of Strombo”), along with special shows by Ari Melber and others. Fans can also log in to hear new exclusive shows from artists like Backstreet Boys, Ciara, Mark Hoppus, Huey Lewis, Alanis Morissette, Snoop Dogg, Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, and more.

And more Apple Music Country:

The Apple Music Country talent show features a wide range of the country’s most exciting voices, including daily hosts Kelleigh Bannen, Ty Bentli, Bree, Alecia Davis, Ward Guenther, Nada and Tiera, plus weekly shows by Ashley Eicher and Kelly McCartney. Fans can also enjoy new exclusive shows by artists such as Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Morgan Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Pat Green, Willie Jones, Chrissy Metz, Midland, Rissi Palmer, The Shires, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen, in addition to exclusive shows by legendary producers and songwriters such as Dave Cobb, Jesse Frasure, and Luke Laird, and journalist Hunter Kelly.

These human-assisted radio stations serve as the main differentiator between Apple Music and competitor Spotify, which focuses on music discovery through algorithmically generated playlists.

Both the new Apple Music radio stations as well as the Apple TV + / CBS / Showtime bundle are available on supported devices today.

Image of list by Apple