Apple has recently entered into a partnership with Airtel, providing exclusive offers for Airtel’s subscribers in India. This collaboration will not only include special offers for Apple’s music streaming service but will also see Apple TV+ being bundled for Airtel’s premium customers in India. This move comes as Airtel announces the closure of its own Wynk Music app. Airtel customers who are subscribed to Airtel’s premium broadband and postpaid services will now have Apple TV+ included in their plans, marking a significant shift in content offerings.
As part of the partnership, Airtel customers who are paying subscribers of Wynk will have access to additional offers. These new changes are set to go live later this year, providing Airtel subscribers with more options for content consumption. This collaboration comes at a time when Apple is looking to expand its reach in India, a market where the majority of smartphones run on Android. By partnering with Airtel, Apple aims to tap into a larger user base and increase its presence in the Indian market.
Apple currently charges 99 Indian rupees per month for Apple TV+ and Apple Music in India, significantly lower than the prices in the United States. This partnership with Airtel is expected to further reduce the average revenue that Apple generates from its music and TV+ services in India. However, the company sees this move as an opportunity to engage more users and offer them a wide range of content through its platforms. With Apple Music and Apple TV+ already available on Android devices, the collaboration with Airtel will enhance the accessibility of these services to a larger audience.
The decision to shut down Wynk Music by Airtel comes as a surprise, considering that the music player was not necessarily losing popularity. While the growth of Wynk Music had slowed down, it still accounted for a significant share of music app downloads in India. Despite this, Airtel has decided to streamline its offerings and focus on providing Apple Music to its subscribers. Wynk Music employees will be transitioned to other parts of the Airtel business, ensuring a smooth transition for both employees and users of the app.
The music streaming industry in India has witnessed intense competition from international players like Spotify and Apple Music in recent years. These global platforms offer their services at affordable prices, attracting a large number of users in the country. Indian music companies have struggled to compete with these international giants, leading to acquisitions and restructuring in the industry. With Airtel and Jio expanding their content and service bundles, the telecom market in India is undergoing a significant transformation, aiming to attract high-value customers through exclusive offerings.
The partnership between Apple and Airtel marks a significant development in the Indian telecom and content market. With exclusive offers for Airtel subscribers, Apple aims to expand its presence in India and reach a larger audience. The closure of Wynk Music and the transition to Apple Music underline the changing landscape of the music streaming industry in the country. As competition intensifies and consumer demands evolve, telecom operators and content providers will need to adapt and innovate to stay ahead in the market.