Apple March event confirmed, with company expected to release new streaming service and News subscriptions

A Netflix competitor and the ability to pay for magazine subscriptions are expected to be launched

Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple, speaks during an Apple event at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Apple has confirmed its next major event, with a major launch later this month.

The event will happen on 25 March, the company announced, alongside a teaser that made heavy reference to films.

The announcement does not give away any details of what the company is getting ready to launch at the event. But it appears to confirm one major rumour about what is coming.

The invitation includes the phrase "it's showtime", in an apparent reference to its widely-rumoured video subscription service. That platform – which is expected to be a rival to Netflix, and include some films and video made by Netflix itself – has been the subject of repeated leaks, which have suggested that it could launch very son.

The company used the exact same wording for an event in 2006. At that launch, it announced that it would start offering films through the iTunes Store, as well as revealing what was then called the iTV but would be renamed the Apple TV.

The new invitation made similarly heavy references to film, with journalists receiving a moving image that showed a classic countdown before announcing the tagline.

At the same March event, Apple is expected to launch a paid-for news subscription service. Rumours suggest that will allow people to pay a single fee for access to magazines, bundling a subscription to different news and magazine services into one platform.

Repeated leaks have also suggested that Apple is working on a host of new hardware, including updated AirPods and a refresh of the iPad. Many customers also hope to see the release of the AirPower charging mat – which was first announced more than a year ago, but was delayed and has been largely undiscussed by Apple.

While rumours have suggested that the upcoming event will focus on the new online services, it is possible that the company will unveil new products either at or around the event.

The announcement of the March event came as Donald Trump continued to rage about an apparent gaffe in which he referred to the company's boss, Tim Cook, as "Tim Apple".