Movies and TV Apple to launch TV service in September 2015

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)

**morphius** · 03-17-2015, 11:48 AM

The more companies doing this the better!

Eleazar · 03-17-2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

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

This would be the death knell for cable, if people could get local channels plus the one or two cable networks they actually do spend significant time watching.

In58men · 03-17-2015, 12:09 PM

Needs NFL Network or GTFO. Also Food Network.

**morphius** · 03-17-2015, 12:31 PM

This is exactly the kind of service that net neutrality is made for. You think Comcast wouldn't like to slow down services like this?

If we can get some DVR service as part of these I would have a hard time not jumping over to them.

Eleazar · 03-17-2015, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphius

This is exactly the kind of service that net neutrality is made for. You think Comcast wouldn't like to slow down services like this?

If we can get some DVR service as part of these I would have a hard time not jumping over to them.

I think that Apple was negotiating with Comcast for network priority and some kind of partnership in this, but the deal fell through, and now Comcast will end up being a victim of it.

**Bugeater** · 03-17-2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

This would be the death knell for cable, if people could get local channels plus the one or two cable networks they actually do spend significant time watching.

Not necessarily, many less popular channels would not be able to survive under an al a carte system

**BossChief** · 03-17-2015, 12:59 PM

Sling tv is already available to order for $20 bucks a month no contract.

They even give you a 2 week trial for free

Jimmya · 03-17-2015, 01:01 PM

cable wars....nice

Eleazar · 03-17-2015, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baconeater

Not necessarily, many less popular channels would not be able to survive under an al a carte system

Sure, there would be fewer niche channels because the market never would have supported those channels in the first place outside of the price controls.

DMAC · 03-17-2015, 01:23 PM

Just need a few more networks to get apps and make them available for PSN or other systems.

So easy.

The Rick · 03-17-2015, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Sling tv is already available to order for $20 bucks a month no contract.

They even give you a 2 week trial for free

I did the free trial of Sling TV and it worked pretty well, but lack of DVR-like capabilities is a deal breaker for me. Hopefully they, Apple, or someone will figure that part out.

thabear04 · 03-17-2015, 02:58 PM

Wonder if a new Apple tv will come out. Because the price drop from $92 to like $62.

**007** · 03-17-2015, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

This would be the death knell for cable, if people could get local channels plus the one or two cable networks they actually do spend significant time watching.

Yeah, the more I think about this the more I think cable will combat it by significantly raising already high internet prices.

ct · 03-17-2015, 03:25 PM

A true a la carte channel package + DVR is what will kill existing cable business. It's coming...

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)
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03-17-2015, 11:48 AM	#2
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6925027	The more companies doing this the better!
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03-17-2015, 12:09 PM	#4
In58men Baba Ganoush Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $2278026	Needs NFL Network or GTFO. Also Food Network. __________________ My Kansas City Chief record 9-9
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03-17-2015, 12:31 PM	#5
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6925027	This is exactly the kind of service that net neutrality is made for. You think Comcast wouldn't like to slow down services like this? If we can get some DVR service as part of these I would have a hard time not jumping over to them.
Posts: 25,971

03-17-2015, 12:59 PM	#8
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1864088	Sling tv is already available to order for $20 bucks a month no contract. They even give you a 2 week trial for free
Posts: 47,129

03-17-2015, 01:01 PM	#9
Jimmya Veteran Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10024530	cable wars....nice
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03-17-2015, 01:23 PM	#11
DMAC MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $10008735	Just need a few more networks to get apps and make them available for PSN or other systems. So easy.
Posts: 11,651

03-17-2015, 02:58 PM	#13
thabear04 MTFU Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The Valley Heat Casino cash: $5680450	Wonder if a new Apple tv will come out. Because the price drop from $92 to like $62.
Posts: 7,230

03-17-2015, 03:25 PM	#15
ct u b illian Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: DooDah Casino cash: $10009436	A true a la carte channel package + DVR is what will kill existing cable business. It's coming...
Posts: 7,287