Filed under: Rumors, Video, Apple
Apple pitching "all you can watch for $30 a month" TV to networks
Apple is already the huge name in the music business with the iTunes Store, and they've made continual inroads into the application, video, and movie markets as well. But what if Apple also became the content provider of choice for TV?That idea isn't that far-fetched, according to a blog post by Peter Kafka at the Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital. Kafka reports that Apple has been pitching the concept of $30 monthly TV subscriptions through iTunes to TV networks.
You'll note that I said iTunes. That's the interesting point here -- Apple isn't pushing sending content to a particular device, like the Apple TV that Kafka refers to as "underwhelming" (sounds familiar, doesn't it?) or the fabled Apple tablet / slate / whatever. Instead, the service would be available immediately to the more 100 million iTunes account holders that Apple had as of a year ago. Have a Mac? You're a potential customer. Have a PC? Ditto.
There's only one fly in the ointment -- will broadcast and cable programmers buy into this? Kafka thinks the first content provider to jump would be Disney, which of course counts Steve Jobs as its largest shareholder. Cable companies might not like the loss of their usually overpriced monthly packages to an upstart, or having their bandwidth chewed up by hordes of people streaming HD video. And there's always the question of whether current cable TV subscribers would make the jump to streaming content.
Kafka ends his post with a quote from an unnamed TV executive, who says of Apple's subscription plan "I think they might get it right this time." What's your take, TUAW readers? Do you think the world is ready to purchase all of its video content from Apple? Leave your comments below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Desmond Pickard said 8:49PM on 11-02-2009
If it includes all the movies and shows they have now and hopefully more soon, I might just drop my tv service increase my internet speed and buy me an apple tv.
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Dave said 5:11PM on 11-02-2009
I would do it if they could get close to the same selection of programs that are available to me through cable. I currently use my ATV for the majority of movies that I rent or own. I do have to rent or purchase some from traditional sources as not all movies become available to iTunes. Plus I can't remember the last time I bought a music CD. So I'd be up for it, providing they get a decent channel selection.
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Jordan said 6:37PM on 11-02-2009
It depends more on which networks agree to do it and the quality of the content for me. Fake "HD" on the iTunes store doesn't cut it for me, and I'm not sure they would do anything higher resolution than that.
gilmorepheus said 5:21PM on 11-02-2009
For following sports and news it would still be important to have some type of cable agreement in place. There is limited on-line streaming of these live events.
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Dave said 5:31PM on 11-02-2009
Although you can get replays of major sporting events on iTunes, like the world series and super bowl. Granted its not live, which is no good. I currently don't use the TV for news, so that wouldn't be an issue for me. I use radio, which I can now get on ATV (or stream to the stereo via Airport Express), and the web for newspapers.
Monte said 5:48PM on 11-02-2009
I'm ready. Mac mini server on standby
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RBasil said 5:44PM on 11-02-2009
If the major networks and the SciFy channel are available, I'd subscribe in a heartbeat.
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YodaMac said 5:27PM on 11-02-2009
I'd be happy if iTunes just offered TV program rentals (at a nominal fee) instead of purchase only, but I'd certainly consider a subscription for access to all their TV content.
TV content, mind you. Not music, or movies! Subscription plan for TV shows ONLY.
Did I make that clear?
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Neil III said 7:15PM on 11-04-2009
So cool especially if you could get live stuff like sports and stuff
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Sean said 5:29PM on 11-02-2009
Is the world ready to buy all their TV from Apple? No... Am I? Heck yeah!
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duh said 5:32PM on 11-02-2009
As long as it has all the major cable content providers, I would gladly pay $30 a month for downloads I can keep. I would keep my antenna for news and sports though. It's cheaper than getting cable for the 4-5 cable networks I watch.
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antiorario said 5:33PM on 11-02-2009
I'd be happy if Apple were able to start selling TV shows and movies in Italy, but considering the current state of affairs of TV and movie distribution in this messed-up country, I don't see that happening any time soon.
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(01) said 7:18PM on 11-02-2009
Totally, I see multiple Terabyte drives in my future if this is true.
(01) said 7:19PM on 11-02-2009
sorry, "if this goes through." Any word on being able to edit comments TUAW? No? Didn't think so.
antiorario said 7:22PM on 11-02-2009
Yeah, not to mention that links in TUAW e-mail notifications still don't work, and the fact that the mobile site is nothing different from the regular one.
Twist said 5:35PM on 11-02-2009
NetFlix Instant (via my Xbox 360) has pretty much replaced cable TV for me already. That plus my DVR means I rarely watch live TV. If I could get up-to-date episodes (similar to the way NetFlix is doing Heroes right now where the new episode is available the day after it airs) of my favorite shows via a service like this is rumored to be I would be willing to ditch my cable TV and replace it with a couple of Apple TV's.
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Hoo B said 5:36PM on 11-02-2009
Its really interesting. I think the huge plus is that you now have a TON of iphone AND ipod touch users who can now sync TV shows to their devices easily and take it with them. All those airplane rides, those long drives with the kids, etc... now you have music, movies AND TV shows? for $30? no need for DVR fees? Wow, a great idea. Has American Idol been the test for all this?
2 hurdles - people seem to be obsessed with losing "local" channels. I don't know what's the obsession with the local news, which is pretty much all that is local, but, hey, old school generations I guess. The other huge hurdle - sports.
I don't know how you're going to get past not paying for 2 TV services - $30 for iTunes, and then another $40-50 for regular cable.
Of course, then there is the whole - where are you going to watch this? I guess Apple TV just found a new life? Or what about the rumors Apple is making a TV. Sounds about as crazy as Apple making a phone lol. We'll see, I guess...
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TVGenius said 5:55PM on 11-02-2009
It's called an antenna. Works great for me.
ABCNEWSER said 5:39PM on 11-02-2009
$20/mo and I'm sold.
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Scott said 5:41PM on 11-02-2009
If service was comparable or better in content and price to any regular cable service then Apple would definitely have a product worth buying. DVR capabilities and HD content are going to be a must. (And I'd buy a MacMini or AppleTV to switch)
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