Apple’s Winning Streak: A Record-Breaking Year for the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV
It’s official – Apple just had the best year ever for its services. The company’s senior vice chairman, Eddy Cue, proudly declared that 2025 was a “record-breaking” year, and the numbers don’t lie. Apple’s App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV all saw significant growth, leaving the competition in the dust.
First off, the App Store is a juggernaut. It now boasts a whopping 850 million weekly active users, a massive increase from 813 million in 2024. This is a testament to the store’s enduring popularity and the sheer number of developers who have hopped on board. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore productivity enthusiast, there’s an app for everyone.
But the App Store’s success is just the tip of the iceberg. Apple TV also saw a whopping 36% increase in monthly engagement, with shows like “Severance” and “Pluribus” raking in the views. And let’s not forget about Apple Music, which had its best year ever for listenership and new subscribers. It’s no secret that Apple Music has been giving Spotify a run for its money, and this latest milestone only solidifies its position as a major player in the music streaming game.
So, what’s behind Apple’s success? The company credits its innovative features, like the karaoke-like “Sing” app, as well as its partnerships with big-name brands like GM and Chase. Shazam, which generated over 1 billion recognitions per month, also likely funneled growth into Apple Music.
However, it’s worth noting that Apple’s success may also be partly due to the controversy surrounding Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s business ventures. Ek’s investment agency has been linked to a €600 million investment in a European defense tech firm, which makes AI-powered military software and strike drones. This has led some artists to remove their catalogs from Spotify in protest, which may have inadvertently boosted Apple Music’s numbers.
So, is Apple’s success a result of its products being genuinely better suited to some listeners, or is it just a financial choice amid uncertain times? Perhaps a bit of both? One thing is for sure, though – Apple’s biggest year ever is a clear indication that the company is committed to its services and is willing to invest in them to make them even better.
Here are the key takeaways:
* Apple’s App Store saw a record-breaking 850 million weekly active users
* Apple TV engagement increased by 36% monthly
* Apple Music had its best year ever for listenership and new subscribers
* The company credits its innovative features and partnerships with big-name brands for its progress
* Apple’s success may also be partly due to controversy surrounding Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s business ventures
What do you think is behind Apple’s success? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
(Note: This article was originally published on TechCrunch.)
