Apple is giving away free TV + subscriptions even longer

Apple is giving away several more months of free TV + to subscribers. Is that sympathetic or a sign of insecurity?

Apple is giving away a few more months of extra TV + for customers with a free subscription. It is the second time that Apple has renewed their TV service for free for customers of a trial subscription. Wouldn’t they really have confidence that the product can stand on its own or is there more to it?

Apple gives even more free TV +

Streaming service Apple TV + was released at the end of 2019 and was often given away for free. Customers who bought an Apple device (iPhone, TV, Watch, etc.) received an annual TV + subscription for free. That subscription was due to expire on November 1, 2020, but has already been extended to February 2021.

Now Apple is once again extending the free TV + subscription until July 2021, 9to5mac reports. Anyone who enjoys the free annual subscription will therefore no longer have to pay. Even if your paid subscription were to expire between now and June 2021, you will receive an extension until July 2021. If you qualify for this somewhat vague arrangement, you will receive an email from Apple.

According to the medium, the extension of the free plan has everything to do with COVID-19. Due to the pandemic, Apple has failed to deliver on their exclusive shows, including For All Mankind, The Morning Show, and See. All those series had to attract users, but one still has to wait for a second season.

So that sounds pretty nice; Apple is not satisfied with the service they have provided and therefore gives users extra time to enjoy it. On the other hand, it feels a bit like Apple itself doesn’t quite believe that TV + can stand on its own two feet.

After all, you do not easily see Netflix giving away free subscriptions because they have not produced enough new seasons… Whether that people have a greed for money or sympathy, I will leave it in the middle. But one thing’s for sure: if you have an Apple TV + subscription for free, then you’ve had more than your money’s worth (or lack thereof) when it ends in July.