Movies and TV Apple to launch TV service in September 2015 - Page 6

Eleazar · 03-17-2015, 11:46 AM

Apple in talks to launch online TV service

(Reuters) - Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) much-hinted-at TV service may soon become a reality as the iPhone maker is in talks with programmers to offer a slimmed-down bundle of TV networks this fall, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The service would have about 25 channels, anchored by broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox, and be available across all devices powered by Apple's iOS operating system, including iPhones, iPads and Apple TV set-top boxes, the newspaper said.

Apple has been talking to Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), CBS Corp (CBS.N), and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOXA.O) and other media companies to offer a "skinny" bundle with well-known channels like CBS, ESPN and FX, leaving out the many smaller networks in the standard cable TV package, the Journal said.

Apple, which is aiming to price the new service at about $30 to $40 a month, plans to announce the service in June and launch it in September, the newspaper said. (on.wsj.com/1GOgcrv)

Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said the company does not comment on rumor and speculation. Fox and CBS declined to comment.

Several media companies are considering joining streaming-only services, or launching their own like HBO and CBS, to attract young people who do not subscribe to traditional pay TV packages. But programmers also fear the packages could become so popular that they undercut current, more profitable deals with cable companies.

In January, Dish Network Corp (DISH.O) unveiled its long-anticipated video streaming service, named Sling TV, targeted at younger consumers who shun pricey cable and satellite subscriptions.

Dish's $20 a month service, the first from a distributor, will be available through Internet-connected devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Google Nexus Player for TVs, tablets, computers and smartphones and will include TV programming from ABC, ESPN and Maker Studios, Time Warner's (TWX.N) TNT, CNN, TBS, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, and Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel.

Others like Sony (6758.T) are also rolling out competing services.

Apple is not in talks with NBCUniversal, owner of the NBC broadcast network and cable channels like USA and Bravo, because of a falling-out between Apple and NBCUniversal parent company Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O), the Journal said.

Apple and Comcast were in early-stage discussions last year to offer a streaming-television service that would allow Apple set-top boxes to bypass congestion on the web.

(Reporting by Supriya Kurane in Bengaluru and Jennifer Saba in New York; Editing by Anupama Dwivedi)

tk13 · 03-21-2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yea, I agree. Eventually there is going to be a tipping point where it's just as expensive as cable or looks exactly like it. Because these providers and cable conglomerates will figure out a way to balance it all out.

The premium package there with Playstation is 70 dollars a month. By the time you get that with an unbundled Internet package, you're going to be paying well over $100 a month, and getting less channels. And then you're going to need an extra $15/month if you want HBO.

Hootie · 03-21-2015, 11:04 AM

I did the Sling for 1 month free so I could get TNT and TBS to watch the Madness and it's pretty cool. For people not able to get passwords from family members, it is definitely worth $20 / month for ESPN / ESPN2 / TNT / TBS and AMC IMO

Deberg_1990 · 03-21-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

I did the Sling for 1 month free so I could get TNT and TBS to watch the Madness and it's pretty cool. For people not able to get passwords from family members, it is definitely worth $20 / month for ESPN / ESPN2 / TNT / TBS and AMC IMO

I think its cool if i was a young, single guy. But it only allows 1 device. That wont work for me.

Hootie · 03-21-2015, 11:11 AM

well that's certainly a good point. I didn't realize you could only use Sling on 1 device

Unsmooth-Moment · 03-21-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

no Sony VUE thread yet? $50 a month. More channels than Sling TV

http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/19/tech...aystation-vue/

I do like that they have Fox sports at the $60 package, but no espn/abc/disney would be a problem!

**007** · 03-21-2015, 02:40 PM

meh, $50 for Vue plus the $50-80 you have to pay for internent? You aren't saving much. And no ESPN is a killer.

03-17-2015, 11:46 AM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Apple to launch TV service in September 2015 Apple in talks to launch online TV service (Reuters) - Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) much-hinted-at TV service may soon become a reality as the iPhone maker is in talks with programmers to offer a slimmed-down bundle of TV networks this fall, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The service would have about 25 channels, anchored by broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox, and be available across all devices powered by Apple's iOS operating system, including iPhones, iPads and Apple TV set-top boxes, the newspaper said. Apple has been talking to Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), CBS Corp (CBS.N), and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOXA.O) and other media companies to offer a "skinny" bundle with well-known channels like CBS, ESPN and FX, leaving out the many smaller networks in the standard cable TV package, the Journal said. Apple, which is aiming to price the new service at about $30 to $40 a month, plans to announce the service in June and launch it in September, the newspaper said. (on.wsj.com/1GOgcrv) Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said the company does not comment on rumor and speculation. Fox and CBS declined to comment. Several media companies are considering joining streaming-only services, or launching their own like HBO and CBS, to attract young people who do not subscribe to traditional pay TV packages. But programmers also fear the packages could become so popular that they undercut current, more profitable deals with cable companies. In January, Dish Network Corp (DISH.O) unveiled its long-anticipated video streaming service, named Sling TV, targeted at younger consumers who shun pricey cable and satellite subscriptions. Dish's $20 a month service, the first from a distributor, will be available through Internet-connected devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Google Nexus Player for TVs, tablets, computers and smartphones and will include TV programming from ABC, ESPN and Maker Studios, Time Warner's (TWX.N) TNT, CNN, TBS, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, and Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel. Others like Sony (6758.T) are also rolling out competing services. Apple is not in talks with NBCUniversal, owner of the NBC broadcast network and cable channels like USA and Bravo, because of a falling-out between Apple and NBCUniversal parent company Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O), the Journal said. Apple and Comcast were in early-stage discussions last year to offer a streaming-television service that would allow Apple set-top boxes to bypass congestion on the web. (Reporting by Supriya Kurane in Bengaluru and Jennifer Saba in New York; Editing by Anupama Dwivedi)
Posts: 80,659

03-21-2015, 11:04 AM	#77
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I did the Sling for 1 month free so I could get TNT and TBS to watch the Madness and it's pretty cool. For people not able to get passwords from family members, it is definitely worth $20 / month for ESPN / ESPN2 / TNT / TBS and AMC IMO
Posts: 56,356

03-21-2015, 11:11 AM	#79
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	well that's certainly a good point. I didn't realize you could only use Sling on 1 device
Posts: 56,356

03-21-2015, 02:40 PM	#81
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14000126 VARSITY	meh, $50 for Vue plus the $50-80 you have to pay for internent? You aren't saving much. And no ESPN is a killer. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,556