Apple leases massive Apple TV+ studio space in Queens, New York

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Kaufman studio
Apple now has an East Coast base for Apple TV+ filming.
Photo: Jim Henderson/Wiki CC

Apple has leased a large 90,000 square feet soundstage and production facility in Queens, New York, for its Apple TV+ production, sources claim.

The main offices for Apple TV+ are located in Culver City, California. However, it seems that Apple also requires an East Coast base for filming, in addition to the various studios available around LA.

The 90,000 square foot space is located at Kaufman Astoria Studios. The studio has New York City’s only backlot. According to New York real estate site, TheRealDeal, the “deal quietly closed last year, making it one of the largest leases in Queens in 2020.”

The report goes on to note that:

“Apple TV+ will occupy the 35,000-square-foot ground floor soundstage, which has 30-foot ceilings. The content provider will also occupy another 40,000 square feet of production space on the ground and fourth floors, and 15,000 square feet of office space on the fifth floor.”

Apple’s space includes production offices, studio space, dressing rooms, lounge, edition facilities, and more. It’s not clear exactly which shows will be shot there. However, Apple supposedly films its Dickinson series at another studio space owned by the Kaufman firm.

How is Apple TV+ doing?

Interestingly, Apple didn’t provide too many details about Apple TV+ and its success during yesterday’s record earnings call. Apple said that it made $15.76 billion from Services during the quarter. However, this isn’t just Apple TV+, but also the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, and more. In fact, Apple TV+ most likely made up a very small percentage of it.

While the service clearly has some big critical hits in the form of Ted Lasso and others, it is definitely many rungs below the likes of Disney+ and Netflix as a popular streaming service. On yesterday’s earnings call, Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri skirted around a question from analyst Shannon Cross, asking about Apple TV+ numbers, declining to give figures.

Most analysts suggest that the overwhelming number of Apple TV+ viewers are using the free subscription included as part of the sale of new devices. Apple recently extended this free subscription, something it would be unlikely to do if this was a giant revenue stream for Apple.

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