Apple is #1 most valuable publicly traded company, fighting antitrust complaints, and now AppleTV+ somewhat on American Airlines

This blog might be approaching its first birthday, but feel like I’ve been writing about Apple since 2000 (I have, but that’s the past).

It’s not surprising how they’ve become the most valuable publicly traded company.

Apple is now the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, passing Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco. As of close of business Friday, Apple has a market valuation of $1.84 trillion, while Saudi Aramco’s is $1.76 trillion, according to CNBC.

Apple is now the world’s most valuable publicly traded company – The Verge

They usually find a way to position themselves in a place where they can collect money for something — and usually are “cool” while doing so. Whether it be the iTunes store or today, the iPhone and app store with the increasingly onerous 30% commission. That very commission is what led them to loggerheads with Spotify and current antitrust complaints.

If only Apple TV+ was a better streaming service

They have some good content, but their cupboards are mostly bare. They need more content — and fast. I’ve brought this up before, but it bears repeating in light of their current financial success.

They have the money — plenty of money — to be a major streaming player if they want to be.

Their streaming strategy is puzzling. They want to buy originals and stock with primarily exclusives, but they are way too late to the game and not buying enough volume to compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon. Heck, they aren’t even competing with CBS All Access, nevermind Hulu. I’d put Apple TV+ just above Quibi for original and/or purchased quality movie and TV content. That’s alligator piss low.

Enter American Airlines.

I guess the airline wants a piece of what Delta is doing for their customer passengers, only they aren’t offering new movies people want to see. I’m talking the VOD titles for no charge (very attractive deal), instead they’re offering the ability to see some of the Apple TV+ content. No subscription or login required, sure, but … it’s like offering to eat anything in a fridge that is mostly empty.

While the entire Apple TV+ library isn’t available on AA flights, there are some originals up for streaming you can kill time with while in the air. But there are no complete seasons as of now. For instance, Apple’s The Morning Show only has two episodes available to stream inflight, just enough to give you a sampling of the show, pass the time during travel, and maybe even draw you in enough to persuade you into a subscription.

Apple TV+ is Now Available on American Airlines Flights

Let’s compute. They aren’t even offering the entire experience (why would AppleTV want to do that? That would just expose they are lacking any real content depth and value for $4.99/month), it’s more a teaser, a not so clever facade, for the already slim offerings of AppleTV+. This deal makes very little sense for American Airlines. They could have gone to, I don’t know, Netflix? HBO Max, maybe? Heck, even Peacock would have been a superior choice.

Nope, they choose Apple TV+. It’s no wonder some airlines go out of business.

Can AppleTV+ improve their service? Sure. Again, they have plenty of $$$.

Just start licensing some legacy movie and TV content from others. I’m talking movies and TV shows that aren’t available on other streaming services, which fits their exclusivity model, but puts more inventory on their virtual shelves. Those that are selling anyway. Amazon has found a way, I’m sure Apple can do the same. They have the money. The fact that they’d rather spend $80-100 million on Tom Hanks next movie (see: Apple Wants To Buy 2-4 Greyhound-like Movies for AppleTV+ Every Year, says Fast Company) vs. paying to license any other movies and TV shows is promising activity, but it’s not going to be enough.

I wish them the best catching up. With their current strategy? Not in my lifetime.