Apple Inc. has made a rare move by launching its Apple TV+ streaming service for Android users, making the app available for download on the Google Play Store. This expansion signals Apple’s shift towards broadening its services beyond its traditionally exclusive ecosystem.
Apple has historically prioritized iOS and macOS, with its last major Android release being Apple Music nearly a decade ago. However, by making Apple TV+ available to Android users, the company is prioritizing service expansion over device exclusivity, tapping into the vast Android market, which accounts for 72% of global smartphone users, according to Statcounter.
Apple’s Services segment, which includes Apple TV+, iCloud, Apple Music, and AppleCare, generated $100 billion in revenue last year, making it the company’s second-largest revenue source after iPhone sales. Apple TV+ has been a key player in this success, offering hit shows like Ted Lasso and Severance alongside live sports coverage of Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball.
Despite Apple’s announcement, findings show that the Apple TV+ app is not yet available on the Google Play Store in Nigeria. Once launched, Android users will be able to subscribe using their Google accounts. Apple TV+ costs $10 per month in the U.S. and is also included in Apple One bundles, which offer access to other Apple services like iCloud storage and Apple Music. While Apple has not disclosed revenue-sharing details, both Apple and Google typically take a 15% commission from streaming subscriptions within their app store
The streaming industry remains competitive, with Netflix leading the global market with approximately 277.65 million subscribers. The company has also been exploring live sports broadcasting, with interest in acquiring U.S. Formula 1 broadcasting rights from 2026.
In Nigeria, Amazon Prime Video has been expanding its Nollywood collaborations, while Showmax, backed by MultiChoice, focuses on local content and live sports. IrokoTV remains a significant platform for Nollywood films, catering to both local and diaspora audiences.
Netflix, a major player in Africa’s streaming landscape, has invested over $23 million in Nigerian films since 2016 and a total of $175 million across Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya between 2016 and 2022.
With Apple TV+ now available to Android users, Apple is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the global streaming industry, leveraging its exclusive content and expanding its reach beyond its hardware ecosystem.
