Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) plans to expand its Apple News service to more countries.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) plans to expand its news platform, which currently serves 125 million readers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia each month. The iPhone maker is considering launching its services in more countries to increase its influence in the digital news field. The US-based tech group aims to strengthen its role in driving publisher revenue and improving advertising effectiveness. The platform has become a key player in the digital news industry and is part of the company's efforts to connect consumers with its products. The report states, "While Apple News does not generate much original news, its launch almost 10 years ago has had a considerable impact on the content consumed daily by tens of millions of people in Western countries." The free and paid versions of the app offer custom stories selected from newspapers, magazines, games, podcasts, and newsletters. Since its launch five years ago, the paid version Apple News+ has expanded from 300 publications to over 450 globally. In the US, the service costs $12.99 per month, while in the UK, it costs 12.99. The report adds, "One of the biggest risks for publishers is that Apple Inc. could potentially eat into the potential users who might pay directly for content."