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(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.
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Run FAR AWAY!!!
John Kuthe...
Thanks! for sharing -LWR.
...and we were worried (at one time) about Google taking over our daily lives...
ESPN and sports on the major networks is the key.
Such a deal. NOT! Do they honestly think that folks are gonna pony up $40/mo. to duplicate a service they already have - and are paying for - with Comcast, Verizon, etc. - especially considering that Apple's offerings are a VERY small subset of the channels available with the major providers.
Knowing Apple, their service will be of very high quality and easy to implement. But I honestly question whether folks will be willing to pay a pretty hefty premium to duplicate what they currently have....
-RW-
Damn it TV is supposed to be paid for by advertising and is FREE to the public. This is the way TV was set up. Then came cable TV to bring TV to outlying areas that didn't get good reception. Now people think you need cable or satellite TV. You don't, In Reno we get over 20 digital stations over the air, most in 720p or 1020p with perfect reception and all one needs is a cheap antenna, mine cost $15. It's a one time purchase and you will never have a bill for TV service ever again! I refuse to pay a single penny for TV, that is why the ads are there. I just don't understand.
Let me help you understand. Not everyone lives in an area where they can receive OTA TV stations. If those people want to watch broadcast TV they need cable, satellite or strreaming. All of those cost money. They are not free.
Do they honestly think that folks are gonna pony up $40/mo. to duplicate a service they already have - and are paying for - with Comcast, Verizon, etc.
No. They'll pay for service they do not already have or pay for service (if it's cheaper / better) and drop what they already have. Don't forget that not everyone has cable TV or Satellite TV, but many have internet.
My combined monthly bill for cable TV / internet / phone is around $200.00. If I can drop most or all of the TV portion and still get what I need via streaming at a savings, it might be worth it.
Knowing Apple, they'll add some value to it above and beyond just the 'streaming'. I have no idea what that might be but it could be a more compelling Apple TV box with enhanced capability.
If Apple provides enough of what people want in TV viewing, then there could be a number of folks who may decide to cut the cable and replace it with Apple. My bundled cable/internet/phone bill is about $200/month, with the cable constituting about half of that. My wife is very against cutting our cable service, but she might reconsider if Apple provides enough of what she wants to see at a high enough level of quality. It's wait and see for us.
Lord knows, Apple's got deep enough pockets to weather the startup costs. As others have mused, I would really like to have an a la carte setup allowing me to choose exactly what I want and no more. Price each station at 50 cents to a buck per month and I think you'd find a willing audience.
This means I'd pony up about $12 - $18 per month and not have to scroll thru 200 channels of tedious drek to find the pearls I seek...
-RW-
I currently have over 200 stations and only watch 10-12 on a regular basis. I am wishing for a system where I can just pick the channels I want.
...good luck with that - we aren't there yet.
Apple TV, HBO going rogue, Netflix, etc. will change it.
Although every now and then I notice a new channel on my cable I didn't know about with something interesting - like Palladium.
I found this little gem about a year ago in my Comcast offerings - who'da figgered?! And they do have some very good concerts along with music videos from which to choose...
-RW-
broadcasting the same sh!t for the masses as most of the others.
Seems like Apple will use its "good taste ® " to weed out the most
pedestrian programming to supply their clientele that feeling of superiority
they crave.
Those people you hear on their phones saying they are going to Whole Foods to
shop can now say they are going home to to stream Apple TV afterwards.
Apple will try to build a market and eventually sell it to Comcast
or some such.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
It will be interesting to see how Apple pulls this off.
You obviously still need high-speed internet to get the streaming "skinny" bundles. Since cable companies like Comcast discount internet, phone, and TV in their bundles (Comcast triple-play), the question becomes how much are you actually saving by dropping some or all of your TV service from the cable company bundle while paying Apple for their "skinny" bundle. And does the cost of your internet go up because you're no longer bundling from the cable company?
Here's a thought. Use old school over the air TV antenna to get your local HDTV network channels and PBS. Then get a "skinny" bundle from Apple (or others). What consumers really want is true ala carte pick and choose TV channels rather than paying for a "bundle".
Apple should provide a quality antenna for local channel access as part of the Apple TV hardware. May not work everywhere but no way should you have to have both in a new Apple offering.
Actually most new TVs have a HDTV tuner built-in so it is really up to the owner to provide his own HDTV antenna should he choose to receive over the air broadcasts.
It wouldn't make much sense for Apple, the Cable company, or any company that provides a streaming service to supply you with an HDTV antenna.
What you say makes sense, but Apple is supposed to create a unique TV user experience besides providing content. If NBC (for example) is not on board but available over the air with an HD antenna, the user should not have to go thru a separate set of steps to get NBC. The Apple interface should take care of that. I think folks are focusing to much on the content and not enough on fixing the existing interface - which is totally broken. In addition, I'm hoping 24/96 is coming to the new Apple TV hardware
where we are. Too far and mountains in the way...Dish is about it...
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