Apple is expected to launch its new services later this evening. Cupertino is finally going to take the wraps off its new video streaming and news subscription services as the company look to focus on its Services business.

We have heard a lot about both the new services, and just before the official announcement, The Wall Sreet Journal has published some more tidbits on the new services, claiming that CEO Tim Cook is “gambling that selling services, an area filled with risks and competition, will be the company’s next chapter”.

First thing first is the new Apple video streaming service — we don’t quite know what this thing will be called, but we do know some details about the pricing. Apple is rumoured to offer its original content for free to Apple device owners as part of the service, but the company’s new original shows aren’t expected to be available at launch.

The new service will, however, allow users to stream content from platforms like HBO, Showtime, and Starz. These “channels” will cost $9.99 a month each, so if you want to watch the new season of GoT, you will have to pay $9.99 a month to get access to HBO shows. And if you want to watch something on Starz, you will have to pay another $9.99 a month. That is still cheaper than the respective prices for these channels, so there is some incentive to use Apple’s new service instead of subscribing to the channels individually.

It still is not clear what the actual Apple streaming service will cost, that’s the one that will give users access to Apple’s own original content, so the pricing of that should be very interesting.

And then there is the new news subscription service that will also apparently cost $9.99 a month, giving users access to up to 200 magazines, including The Wall Street Journal. The new service will likely be integrated into the Apple News app, so you may not have access to it outside of Apple devices.

The new video streaming service, however, will reportedly come to other platforms, especially smart TVs later on.

Tagged with Apple News, Apple TV, Apple Video