Apple News+, the subscription service from Apple, is growing at a rate four times faster than major publishers, according to a recent report by analytics firm CIRP. The study reveals that Apple News+ subscriptions in the United States have increased from 15% to 24% from 2020 to 2024. In contrast, subscriptions for major publishers like The New York Times and The Washington Post have only increased by 2%, with The Wall Street Journal seeing a 3% boost.
The report comes on the heels of major publishers expressing a positive outlook on Apple News+, stating that it has begun to represent a substantial stream of direct revenue. This is particularly significant as traffic has been slowing for these publishers. Apple News+ could potentially serve as a lifeline for news and magazine sites.
While Apple does not provide a breakdown of its Services revenue, its previous quarter results showed an overall 14.2% year-over-year increase in the category that includes News+. The new data from CIRP indicates that Apple is outperforming major publishers on subscription growth among Apple users.
One top comment from the report highlights the value of Apple News Plus. The user appreciates the great article recommendations, limited ads, and the opportunity to support publishers in a way that feels worth it. The service is also seen as a great way to read The Wall Street Journal without paying for their pricier subscription.
The study surveyed Apple device owners, not all consumers, and the firm did not share its sample size. It’s also unclear the mix of Apple News+ subscribers who are paying the standalone $12.99 versus those who are getting News+ with the $32.99 Apple One bundle. However, if nearly a quarter of US Apple customers are paying for News+ as CIRP’s report shows, that’s tens of millions of users that publishers are gaining by being part of Apple’s service.
Read more: 9to5mac.com