Apple is reportedly ready to spend around $1bn (£777m) on original content next year to rocket into direct contention with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as major television networks like HBO.

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, Apple is keen to follow up on Carpool Karaoke and Planet of the Apps by splashing the cash on up to 10 more TV shows. And Apple has set itself the lofty target of offering content on par with HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Apple’s first two attempts at original content, mentioned above, have both failed to capture audiences and have been widely panned. But these failings haven’t deterred Apple from aiming bigger.

In charge of spending the newly allocated funds will be Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, who Apple hired from Sony’s entertainment arm. Although the funds they have to spend may seem like a huge amount, it is still a long way the $6bn and $4.5bn Netflix and Amazon are set to spend in 2017 respectively.

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