Posted on 03/17/2015 7:02:10 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Apple is reportedly working on a plan to launch its own TV service.
A Wall Street Journal report suggests Apple, which already lets users watch television and Netflix shows through its Apple TV device, is working with programmers "to offer a slimmed-down bundle of TV networks this fall."
The Journal cites sources familiar with the talks who say Apple's subscription service may provide "about 25 channels, anchored by broadcasters such as ABC, CBS, and Fox, and would be available on Apple devices such as the Apple TV."
The as-yet-unannounced service would cost $30 to $40 per month, according to The Journal.
Various rumors and speculation suggesting Apple intends to disrupt television have been circulating for a while, but the tech company's plans have so far been vague and somewhat noncommittal.
There has been talk in recent years that Apple might develop its own television hardware, and when that simmered down, the conversation returned to the possibility that Apple might offer precisely the type of streaming service that is apparently being negotiated now.
What is clear, however, is that Apple wants to cater to customers who are giving up on expensive traditional cable subscriptions. That industry has been ripe for disruption for some time, especially as other platforms like Netflix and Amazon build ever-stronger programming that is finally nipping at the heels of legacy media.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Will it cost 100 times more than Cable ?
Well, for most of us it the wives and kids that make it difficult to pull the plug.
I have Direct TV, ditched Comcast almost two years ago, but only watch 4 shows regularly.
Very true. Due to other family members, many of us still have cable bundle packages, as different people have different favorite channels.
Fast forward a few years, and I could see dropping satellite TV, as I personally watch so little TV anymore.
RE: Will it cost 100 times more than Cable ?
If so, Apple will LOSE MONEY. They’re not stupid.
“about 25 channels, anchored by broadcasters such as ABC, CBS, and Fox .... service would cost $30 to $40 per month”
Yeah, right. That’s some MIGHTY expensive lies! Especially when you can get all the lies you want on broadcast TV and the Internet for free.
Have at it.
I couldn't care less about "professional" sports. Haven't, since the 1980's.
But I was still paying for it indirectly.
The time for any alternative is long overdue.
I watch an occasional sports event on television, but otherwise 99% of my time is Netflix, Amazon, online steaming.
We keep the cable until m wife and daughter get comfortable with streaming.
An option in principle like this article describes for Apple is just the ticket.
Why is Apple, the most profitable business ever, not evil? Democrats? Leftists?
I suppose it’s time to revisit this again...
If Apple is able to bring their overseas profits back to the US without excessive taxes (or, if they dodge that by using those assets as collateral to borrow against, which they’ve one at least once before), they would easily have enough liquid cash to buy a greater than 50% share of Disney and possibly enough to buy out Disney completely.
That would give them a lot of assets (Disney owns ABC, ESPN, full or partial ownership of several other channels, Touchstone Pictures, music and print labels, etc., in addition to all of Disney’s IP and parks), the most important (for this discussion) of which would be the ABC/ESPN/et. al. channels. Apple could then make this happen simply by starting with those channels and inviting everyone else along for the ride.
I get CBS NBC FOX news now with just an antenna called free tv. and about 20 other stations with movies and MeTv
EXACTLY. I could list maybe under 10 channels, for sure under 20 that I would subscribe.
I don’t have cable and have not missed. Have been able to find UK basketball and women’s nude wrestling. I am not missing anything.
What if you cannot get cable or FIOS, how can you stream without killing your wireless data plan?
The issue with cable TV is twofold:
1. The linear programming model where programming is organized into “channels” that show specific content at predetermined times. This model is dead and cannot be resurrected. Consumers want content that is accessed and consumed on demand whenever and however they want, not according to someone else’s idea of when and where it should be viewed.
2. The business model (broadcast advertizing) that has evolved over the past 90 years to support linear programming to a mass audience. This model is also dead. Subscriptions are the only viable model going forward, and that has profound effect on who will survive and thrive in this new world.
The latter is the bigger issue for current providers. I doubt many will make the transition to the subscription-based demand-driven alternative.
I agree that the 2 options would be good.
Several years ago I followed some ‘forum’ discussions/complaint sessions regarding Hulu+Plus. Many wondered why Plus would not offer a commercial-free subscription service. Plus officials would just respond that the current (subscription with ads) was what they offered.
At the time, I came across an article interviewing one of the Hulu Plus officials. He said that they eventually foresaw Hulu Plus offering as many commercials as regular TV.
Changing mindset and business model so that the viewer is the customer and their interests come first is completely alien to those who've been so successful with the former mindset. That's why it's unlikely that they will successfully navigate the transition and instead will be disrupted by new players who put the viewer first from the outset.
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