Text: Shania Indah Adiyobikenia
Photo: Vanity Fair
Yesterday, October 15, 9to5Mac reported that Apple is raising subscription prices for Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, and Apple One. This is the first time Apple has raised prices for this service in the United States. This decision is considered rational for several media, given the current rampant market power.
In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple cited the increase in licensing fees. Its streaming service, Apple TV Plus, now costs $ 6.99 per month. However, the reasons for Apple Music’s price hike are arguably more complex. At $ 10.99, Apple’s service is currently more expensive than Amazon Music, at $ 8.99 per month, and Spotify, which has been stuck at $ 9.99 per month for more than a decade.
Apple Music and Amazon Music offer high-quality audio, while Spotify is exploring HiFi for Platinum plan subscribers only, which can reportedly cost $ 19.99 per month. A Spotify survey conducted earlier this month indicated the possibility that Spotify could finally deliver HiFi, at a price. The survey covers different versions (and prices) of the Platinum plan, but the one that catches the eye is $ 19.99 per month. In addition to HiFi, the plan will include limited podcast advertising, library and playlist management tools, and audio insights.
Both Spotify and Amazon also offer exclusive podcast content, while Apple Music is completely separate from Apple Podcasts. This means the three services streaming the audio has to work harder to differentiate itself.
