Tech

The short answer: No. The long answer: We will have to wait and see. 

Snap, Inc., parent company of Snapchat, is launching a series of scripted and non-scripted shows, according to Mashable. The launch of these series will be a pivot for the company. 

Snap has been offering programming for a few years now, but for the most part they have been 3 minute videos regarding pop-culture or very niche items in the news. Now, they are launching 3 scripted series on Wednesday and 6 more later this year. 

This will be Snap’s first go at scripted programming. The new offerings are being dubbed as “Snap Originals”. 

Why Won’t This Save Snapchat? 

Snapchat’s problem has nothing

Snap lost 2M users in their third quarter, according to TechCrunch. While Snap’s overall business is improving with earning $293B in revenue, over the $288B that Wallstreet was looking for. 

Unless these original programs become massive hits for the platform, I don’t see this experiment working. I don’t go onto Snapchat to watch shows, I go onto Snapchat to see what people are doing. 

What’s A Good Way To Save Snapchat? 

If Snap is hell bent on getting into the content production world, they should tap social influencers to do it for them. Sign creators like Logan Paul to production deals to create content for Snap on a regular basis. 

Creators like Paul have the user base that Snap should be trying to attract to their platform and engage with. 

Let’s see how this ‘Snapflix” experiment works for them. 

Apple is looking to grow it’s Apple Music business (a big reason for their continue revenue growth) and the Financial Times is reporting that Apple is looking to buy into iHeartMedia. 

iHeartMedia filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and has been looking for either a fix to their financial problems, a strategic partner to help save them, or a new owner of the business. 

Apple Music has 50 Million active subscribers to it’s name and has outgrown rival Spotify in domestic listeners. Bringing in iHeartMedia to their portfolio will do some major good for both companies.

Apple will acquire iHeartRadio, many radio stations, and a set of major music festivals that can promote the Apple Music service to new customers. iHeartMedia will wind itself in a safe position for the first time in years with a major backing of Apple. 

Can you imagine Ryan Seacrest, one of the most famous hosts on the iHeartMedia platform, becoming the face of Apple? 

Apple is a $1 Trillion company that continues to see growth in overall revenue. One thing that is alarming is the slowing sales of iPhones overall. 

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) is reporting that Apple is seeing a slow down in overall iPhone unit sales, but is still seeing an increase in iPhone revenue. Basic economics would tell you that a higher price point for the iPhone, and more iPhone options are to thank for the increase in overall iPhone revenue to grow. 

Apple is now selling iPhones starting at $999 as opposed to iPhones starting as $600 as before when they had higher unit sales. So if Apple is able to sell less iPhones (and not much less) for a higher pricer tag, you will see the revenue growth. 

Apple’s overall revenue is also growing thanks to their new focus on subscription services like Apple Music, iCloud, and also iTunes sales. 

Apple’s new focus on the subscription side of their business can ultimate lead to a steady guaranteed revenue that will continue to grow as they offer more and more to their platform. 

The new focus is such a pivot from the hard sales on hardware that Apple announced that it would actually stop reporting specific unit sales to their investor, a worrying move to investors. 

The company is working on developing more exclusive content for an eventual streaming service that could be integrated with Apple Music or iTunes. 

Overall, Apple saw $10 Billion in subscription based revenue, up 10% from last quarter. Good news for the tech giant. 

The Verge has released a 9 minute video of the Apple event in New York where they announced the new Macbook Air and iPad Pros.