Apple TV+ streaming service is backed by Hollywood greats, posing a huge threat to Netflix.
Steven Spielberg took subtle jabs at streaming services during an interview with Variety in February 2019. However, he is now one of the many cinematic icons backing the new Apple TV+ service unveiled on Monday.
Social media misconstrued all of Spielberg’s comments in the Variety report. People perceived Spielberg hated streaming services; the misunderstanding came when Twitter took his comments out of context.
“I hope all of us really continue to believe that the greatest contributions we can make as filmmakers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience,” Spielberg said.
What was perceived as criticizing streaming services was actually Spielberg reminding audiences of the importance of going to the theater.
His caution described how streaming services make content less valuable in substance, and that going to the theater is how films were meant to be seen. Paying for a ticket and putting your phone away allows you to focus during a movie. Nowadays, many people watch movies on a laptop screen while scrolling through social media, using streaming purely as entertainment, not the art is was designed to be.
The term “binge watching” is now a part of the English dialect, and Spielberg simply wanted to remind audiences that he’s “a firm believer that movie theaters need to be around forever.”
Spielberg, known for blockbusters such as “Indiana Jones,” “E.T” and “Jurassic Park,” believes in the cinema experience. Social media, however, took his backing of the Apple event to indicate that he succumbed to streaming, signifying he is just another Hollywood legend to be bought.
This is a dicey situation because with box office-breaking films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Captain Marvel,” theaters are busier than ever. After noticing this, Spielberg decided to adjust to the times and back the launch of Apple TV+.
Spielberg wasn’t the only big name that sponsored the event. Numerous stars from Oprah to JJ Abrams and Steve Carell promoted the new service. Similar to how Apple Music challenged Spotify when it launched, Apple TV+ is posed to challenge the industry leader – Netflix.
Apple TV+ will face countless challenges, including simple changes to modern colloquialisms such as “Apple TV+ and chill” versus the easy flow of “Netflix and chill,” but the change will occur eventually.
All Apple products aim to change the way in which people consume information and the ease of everyday life. Apple TV+ is no different. Both Netflix and Apple TV+ aim to be ad-free streaming services that create excellent original content.
Tech Radar reported, “Apple TV Plus could prove a problem for Netflix in terms of quality; Apple has a strong lineup of famous creatives behind its original programming, and a real focus on high-quality content.”
The main problem with Netflix programming is it’s lack of exceptional content. With the exception of a few shows, the quality of content is seriously lacking. With disappointing shows and movies like “Fuller House,” “The Kissing Booth,” “Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life” and “Friends from College,” the streaming giant could use a quality over quantity pep talk.
As of now, Apple TV+ has a small roster of content coming out soon. This means we won’t know the level of threat it poses to Netflix for probably at least a year. The biggest takeaway from the Apple event is that there will now be a true competitor to Netflix.
Accessibility and content creation is the name of the game for filmmakers nowadays. Having another big streaming service will be a good thing. Challenging Netflix’s content will only produce better videos for both services, something all audiences can appreciate.
Spielberg and the other big names aim to create a space that is filled with high-quality films and shows With the platform that Apple TV+ creates for these cinema greats, one thing is for certain — Hollywood will never be the same. That’s just show business.