Apple Discussed ‘Punitive Measures’ Against Netflix for Dropping In-App Purchases

As the Epic Games v. Apple trial progresses into its 3rd day, Apples internal files and interactions with various companies are continuing to surface, providing us some insight into the dealings that Apple has actually had around the App Store.
Back in December 2018, Netflix stopped using in-app membership choices for new or resubscribing members and instead started needing them to register for Netflix beyond the App Store in order to prevent paying Apples 30 percent cut. As it ends up, Apple executives were dissatisfied with Netflixs choice, and made efforts to convince Netflix to keep in-app purchases available.
The subject hasnt yet been broached in the live in-person trial thats going on right now, however 9to5Mac highlighted e-mails between Apple executives talking about Netflixs choice. When Apple discovered that Netflix was A/B testing the elimination of in-app purchases in particular countries, Apple started scrambling to put a stop to it.
Apples App Store Business Management Director Carson Oliver sent out an e-mail in February 2018 outlining Netflixs screening strategies and asked his fellow App Store executives whether Apple should take “punitive steps” versus Netflix.
Do we wish to take any punitive steps in response to the test (for instances, pulling all worldwide including during the test duration)? If so, how should those punitive steps be communicated to Netflix? (sic).
The e-mails do not make it clear if Apple did certainly take any actions to restrict featuring throughout Netflixs screening, however Netflix did continue with the A/B test and discovered it rewarding. Ahead of when Netflix pulled in-app purchase choices, Apple developed an entire presentation to convince Netflix to continue to offer in-app subscription sign ups.
Since it was greater than those who signed up through the web, Netflix was worried about voluntary churn levels on iOS. In a nutshell, iOS users who signed up for Netflix through in-app purchases were cancelling their Netflix accounts at a higher rate, a concern that Apple worked to solve for Netflix.
Other Netflix issues included complimentary trial abuse (which Apple attended to), un-grandfathering (raising prices on users secured to a choose price), and providing promotions (wasnt possible to offer discount rates on iOS). Apple internally went over methods to fix these problems for Netflix to encourage the business to stick to in-app purchases.
Apple likewise incentivized Netflix by describing how much dedicated featuring Netflix was getting. Apple stated that Netflix was included more than any other partner, something that Apple wanted to continue doing.
Apple proposed continued coordinated including across iOS and Apple TV, advertisements promoting Netflix, App Store email projects, including performance information, an “Apple TV bundle” and choose video partner program benefits such as the option to up-sell non-IAP consumers and billing versatility to un-grandfather and cancel subscription charges.
Apple also went over package deals for Netflix and an Apple service in addition to provider and payment partners for co-funded membership offers, as well as in-store marketing for Netflix, however none of these steps ultimately persuaded Netflix to stick to in-app purchases.
Today, there is no in-app purchase alternative for Netflix, and those who wish to enjoy Netflix on an iPhone or an iPad must initially register on the web, with Apple gathering no money. Netflix is also not enabled to direct customers where to register, though, and the splash screen just says “You cant register for Netflix in the app.”.
The Epic Games v. Apple trial is expected to last for around 3 weeks in overall, with Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives set to affirm in the coming weeks.