The News app is reportedly set to broaden its global presence. Since its launch in 2019, it has been limited to users in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
After more than five years, a report from the Financial Times suggests that Apple is finally planning to add new countries to its list of supported locations. The News app generates revenue through a combination of display advertising and a premium subscription service known as News+.
According to the article, Apple currently employs around 100 editors stationed in New York, London, Sydney, and California.
In contrast to some competitors, the News app relies significantly on a team of human editorial curators who handpick top stories and create new featured sections, although other elements of the app are developed through algorithms.
However, the reliance on human curation has previously hindered Apple’s ability to expand internationally, as doing so requires additional workforce and enhanced local coverage.
Nevertheless, the Financial Times indicates that Apple is now ready to undertake the necessary steps for expansion. Unfortunately, the report does not specify which new countries may be added, but it does mention plans to offer some content currently exclusive to the US version of the News app in the UK, such as News+ word games and Sudoku puzzles.
The profitability of the service remains uncertain, both in terms of advertising revenue and the number of News+ subscriptions. While publishers generally claim that the News app drives significant traffic, monetization remains a challenging aspect.
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