Apple TV+ cannot yet be watched in China
Apple has reportedly been in talks with China Mobile about bringing both Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade to the country.
It’s currently not possible to watch Apple TV+ shows in China, either via Apple itself or deals such as ones in France and India that bundle the service with other streamers. It’s also not possible to get Netflix, Disney or any non-Chinese streamers in the country, although a limited number of individual shows or films are released via other firms.
According to The Information, however, in 2023, Apple began negotiating for its full Apple TV+ service to be provided in China via China Mobile. This firm has over 200 million broadband customers so already pay for various TV services via its Mobile HD set top box.
Neither Apple nor China Mobile have commented. But it’s believed that China Mobile customers viewers would have the option to get Apple TV+ for a monthly fee, and that the revenue would in some way be split between the two companies.
If Apple TV+ were offered by China Mobile, it would reportedly be solely via the firm’s Mobile HD set top box. It’s not clear, then, how or whether Chinese iPhone users would be able to watch.
