Bharti Airtel, an India founded global communications company, yesterday announced a content tie-up with Apple that will allow Airtel Xstream post-paid premium customers explore award-winning content on Apple TV+ and get access to Apple Music through special offers.
In a joint statement, Airtel and Apple said large screen video content viewership is growing at a fast pace in India, and there is a large appetite for high quality video content among Indian users. Hence, the premium and compelling content, including feature films and ground-breaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, from Apple TV+ will be available across all screens for Airtel Xstream users.
Airtel Xstream fiber also offers a large selection of TV shows, movies and web series, which come included with the WiFi plans, and the addition of Apple TV+ will further enrich this content offering. Apple TV+ will come bundled with premium Airtel WiFi and Postpaid plans, the statement added.
With the availability of Apple Music, which boasts of a large collection of curated global and Indian music, Airtel will shutter its own music app, Wynk Music, and absorb all the employees in the parent company.
A PTI report from New Delhi quoted an Airtel spokesperson as saying, “We can confirm that we will sunset Wynk Music and all Wynk Music employees will be absorbed within the Airtel ecosystem. Airtel users will have access to Apple Music. Additionally, Wynk Premium users will receive exclusive offers from Airtel for Apple.”
Meanwhile, in the official media statement, Amit Tripathi, Chief Marketing Officer & EVP Customer Experience for Bharti Airtel, said, “Apple and Airtel are natural partners who strive to bring excellence to customer experience. We also share the common vision of serving the entertainment needs of Indian users.
“Airtel offers a one stop shop to bring all content and entertainment through Airtel Xstream. This partnership with Apple will provide immense value to our customers since they will now have access to the best content and entertainment globally.”
“We are thrilled that Airtel customers in India will soon be able to enjoy all of the incredible content on Apple TV+ and Apple Music,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’ vice president of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats, adding, “With our ever growing catalogue of world-class films, television shows and music to choose from we know there will be something for everyone.”
Apple Music subscribers also have access to exciting features like Apple Music Sing and time-synced lyrics as well as lossless audio, and immersive Spatial Audio.
These Apple Music and Apple TV+ offers will become available exclusively to Airtel customers in India later this year, the companies stated.