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Apple services had a \u201crecord-breaking year,\u201d according to a blog post<\/a> by senior vice president Eddy Cue.<\/p>\n In 2025, Apple had 850 million average weekly App Store users (up from 813 million in 2024<\/a>), over $100 billion in Apple Pay merchant sales, and a 36% increase in monthly Apple TV engagement.<\/p>\n Apple Music also had its best year ever for listenership and new subscriber growth, which is impressive amid Spotify\u2019s longstanding dominance<\/a> of the market.<\/p>\n Apple has less frequently disclosed figures about App Store payouts over the last several years, but the company shared that it has now paid $550 billion to developers since its launch in 2008. This indicates significant growth, as Apple last reported that as of 2021, it had paid out $260 billion to developers<\/a>, up from the $200 billion it reported in 2020.<\/p>\n The App Store generally takes a 30% commission from in-app purchases, though it offers small businesses (developers making under $1 million annually) a reduced 15% fee. This section of Apple\u2019s business has been the target of heavy regulatory<\/a> scrutiny<\/a>, with international<\/a> courts investigating it for monopolistic<\/a> practices.<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s entertainment products are making strides, too. Apple TV eclipsed all prior viewership records in December 2025, the company says, and Apple Music achieved record highs in listenership and new subscribers.<\/p>\n Apple TV\u2019s growth comes alongside the debut of new hits like \u201cPluribus\u201d and \u201cThe Studio,\u201d as well as ongoing successes like \u201cSeverance.\u201d Apple TV also struck major streaming deals with Major League Soccer and Formula 1. \u201cF1,\u201d Apple TV\u2019s movie about the sport, became Apple Studios\u2019 highest-grossing film yet, as well as the highest-grossing film of star Brad Pitt\u2019s career.<\/p>\n Techcrunch event<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSan Francisco<\/span> Apple credits its karaoke-like \u201cSing\u201d feature, partnerships with companies like GM and Chase, and other new developments for its growth. It notes that Shazam generated over 1 billion recognitions per month, which could have funneled growth into its Music service. <\/p>\n But it\u2019s also possible that Apple benefited from controversy around Spotify CEO Daniel Ek\u2019s business ventures.<\/p>\n Ek\u2019s investment firm led a \u20ac600 million investment<\/a> in European defense tech company Helsing, which makes AI-powered military software and strike drones<\/a>. Artists like Xiu Xiu, Sylvan Esso, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, and others removed their catalogs from Spotify in protest.<\/p>\n Spotify has faced other controversies over the last several years, from its platforming<\/a> of COVID-19 misinformation via Joe Rogan\u2019s podcast (formerly a Spotify exclusive<\/a>) to its artist payout<\/a> metrics. <\/p>\n On the other hand, Apple Music could be growing because it\u2019s simply making a product that is better suited for some listeners (I wrote about my decision<\/a> to switch from Spotify to Apple Music as I became increasingly suffocated by algorithmic recommendations).<\/p>\n It could also be a financial decision amid uncertain economic times \u2014 Apple Music lures new subscribers with its three-month free offer, which comes alongside the purchase of most new Apple devices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nApple Music and Apple TV are growing<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 13-15, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n