Apple today announced that paid iCloud+ subscriptions in more than 100 countries now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade “at no additional cost.” Family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people.
Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan in those countries, including the cheapest 50GB tier, gets the added benefits.
While the initiative includes more than 100 countries, it does not include the U.S., Canada, Australia, the UK or other European markets. This doesn’t appear to be just a limited time promotional offer, since Apple TV and Apple Arcade will no longer be sold as individual subscriptions through Apple in the countries where it has launched. Apple says existing standalone subscriptions will be cancelled as customers transition to access through iCloud+, while Arcade saves and game progress are preserved.
Countries where the new iCloud+ bundle is being launched include:
Users who currently subscribe to Apple TV or Apple Arcade individually will continue to have uninterrupted access to Apple TV and Apple Arcade through their iCloud+ subscription. Their existing individual Apple TV or Apple Arcade subscription will be cancelled. Game progress and saves on Apple Arcade will be preserved.
Apple One is effectively being ended as an offering in the abovr markets. New customers will no longer be able to subscribe, although existing Apple One subscribers can keep their plans.
“We’re excited to bring Apple TV and Apple Arcade to iCloud+ users in over 100 countries in one convenient subscription,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services and Health. “iCloud+ users can now securely store and share personal content across their devices, enjoy the absolute best in original storytelling from Apple TV, and explore an incredible lineup of hundreds of games through Apple Arcade.”
Apple is also including an additional service called Apple Music Select that offers ad-free Apple-curated music stations. Apple hopes the stations will entice iCloud+ subscribers to upgrade to full Apple Music at a discounted monthly rate.
With the introduction of iCloud+ with Apple TV and Apple Arcade, Apple TV is expanding to 59 new countries. The streaming service isnow available in 170 countries around the globe.
