Digital Content Next writes to Apple’s Cook

 

Trade group Digital Content Next’s CEO Jason Kint has written a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook asking for disclosure of the terms of a deal between Amazon and Apple and asking if “anyone meeting the conditions” can apply to get the deal.

Digital Content Next represents The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and other outfits.

The deal came up in a July 29 House hearing on online platforms and market power.

At the hearing, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) asked Apple CEO Tim Cook if the terms between Apple and Amazon are available to other developers. Cook said “anyone meeting the conditions” can apply for the terms. 

Some background, from Digital Content Next: In 2017, Apple and Amazon made a deal where Amazon Prime Video would be available on Apple TV and Apple products would be available on Amazon. As part of the deal, Apple would lower its fee for people who subscribed to Prime Video from 30% to 15%. For existing Prime Video subscribers, Apple agreed to drop its normal 15% fee. “The cherry on top for Amazon was that they could use other payment systems outside of Apple,” says Digital Content Next.

Those the details of the deal according to an email uncovered by the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, says Digital Content Next. Apple and Amazon haven’t made details of the deal public.

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