Airtel logo displayed on the phone screen.
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applelinks with india Airtel Offering free music and video streaming to the telco's premium customers could allow the U.S. company to reach thousands of consumers in a price-sensitive market.
The move comes amid growing competition in India's $28 billion entertainment market and an $8.5 billion merger of Indian media assets. trust and walt disney Facing intense scrutiny from regulators.
“Apple TV+ will be bundled with premium Airtel WiFi and postpaid plans,” Airtel said in a statement on Tuesday, although the companies did not disclose the deal value or cost of the tie-up.
Apple TV+'s content is mainly in English and has a small presence in the Indian market. Its competitors include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar and billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s JioCinema.
Apple is following its rivals in bundling streaming services with telecoms and plans to grow its audience faster.
As part of the plan, premium users of Airtel broadband and postpaid services will be able to access Apple TV+ and Apple Music later this year.
Airtel will shut down its music app Wynk in the process, two people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.
Airtel's Indian telecom products have about 281 million users, while its biggest rival Ambani's Reliance Jio has about 489 million users.