2 Movies and TV

Image via Apple

When you think Apple, you probably think of Cupertino or Silicon Valley. But the company has also been expanding in Hollywood.

For the last couple of years, Apple has been tirelessly putting together a catalog of original TV content. Basically, Apple-produced TV shows and movies. It’s rumored to spend as much as $4.2 billion to build out a stable of original programming, which could first debut next year.

That includes a slew of TV series headed by high-profile names in the entertainment industry. But it’s not just quantity, Apple is aiming for quality, “prestige content” here, too. That might include feature-length films that could see a theatrical release.

At face value, original TV content seems like a good way to integrate more first-party offerings to the Apple TV and HomeKit ecosystem. But like its other products, Apple probably has other plans.

Just look at Apple News. The company recently acquired Texture, which is a magazine subscription service that could be likened to a “Netflix” of editorial content.

And just last month, Apple was rumored to be putting together a subscription service that could combine Apple Music, Apple News, and the aforementioned TV content. Such a service would put the tech juggernaut in more direct competition with firms like Amazon Prime.