• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 3, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

Apple Complicates Netflix Gaming Push

  • Netflix is starting to produce its own video games as an additional offering for its subscribers at no extra charge.
  • Apple’s App Store rules complicate the picture.
netflix_logo_on_screen
Netflix/Design: Alex Brooks

Netflix’s gaming ambitions could be slowed by another tech giant: Apple.

The leading video streaming company has been developing games as a way to attract and retain customers, releasing titles for Android earlier this month. The games are offered free to the company’s subscribers, who numbered 213.6 million as of Sept. 30. 

However, Apple retained its right to keep other game stores out of its App Store in its court battle with Epic Games, preventing Netflix and others from offering an easy-to-use platform for mobile iOS users. 

Apple also doesn’t allow third parties to offer gaming platforms on its App Store, blocking products like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Google Stadia from appearing in their fully realized form on iPhones and iPads.

  • The App Store generates $19 billion in annual revenue, most of which comes from its 30% developer fee on in-app purchases inside free-to-play games.
  • The number of iPhone users topped 1 billion in January, according to the company.
  • Apple has also been trying to move into Netflix’s domain, but lags far behind: Apple TV had under 20 million subscribers as of July.

Netflix plans to release games individually on the App Store, allowing users to launch, but not play them from the Netflix app.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Cal mascot, Oski

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.
Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.

DirecTV Acquires Dish Network, Backed by PE Surge Across Sports

The two leading U.S. satellite-TV providers to combine in a long-contemplated merger.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Domantas Sabonis on Life Behind Scenes of NBA Stars

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

The Padres’ Future Is on the Line This Postseason

The MLB playoffs could determine the team’s path forward.
Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Barcelona midfielder Pau Victor (8) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second half of an international friendly against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium. V
September 29, 2024

FC Barcelona’s Overspending Triggered a Crisis. Has It Tightened Its Belt Enough?

The club is betting on their middle-road strategy to dig out.
Sep 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Nike shoes worn by Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell in the first half against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
opinion
September 28, 2024

New Nike CEO Must Do It

The biggest task the new CEO faces is intangible: Refresh the brand.
Sprinter Gabby Thomas
September 25, 2024

Alexis Ohanian’s Big-Money Women’s Track Experiment Is Here

“Track and field needs them to pull it off,” said one agent.

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
July 24, 2024

The Perfect Storm Propelling ‘EA Sports College Football’ to Early Success

Growing fandom and a long wait have already reaped dividends for EA.
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
July 20, 2024

The Road to the Return of ‘EA Sports College Football’

This summer, the biggest development in college sports is virtual.
Sponsored

TopSpin 2K25 Brings the Legends of Tennis to Your Living Room

2K sports is reviving a classic with TopSpin 2K25.
July 3, 2024

Esports Winter: NBA 2K League Hits Pause Button Amid Industry Decline

The previously high-profile esports league is now effectively on hiatus amid widespread layoffs.
June 14, 2024

IOC Proposes Holding Separate Olympics for Esports

The organization’s executive board has proposed a separate Olympics for online gaming.