Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s rumored television set could end up in your living room sometime in the near future. There is a new report from Quartz that claims Apple is currently in negotiations with media companies for content. The list of companies they are in talks with include HBO, Disney, and MTV.
Last year, there was a similar report that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was talking to media companies for creating a box-top set that streamed movies and television shows. There was also a similar report the year before that. Fortunately, it looks like Apple may be closer to officially sealing the deal. The company recently acquired Matcha, a video programming service that allows viewers to see all their available viewing choices on Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, and HBO. Pete Distad(former SVP for Hulu) also just started his role as Product Marketing VP for Apple.
Apple could essentially become a cable company itself
Quartz offered more details on Apple’s plans, “One alternative being considered is that Apple could essentially become a cable company itself. Under that scenario, sources say, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would launch what is formally known as a virtual multichannel video programming distributor. Apple is still interested in striking deals with cable companies that would allow people to plug their cable lines into the back of the TV set, bypassing a cable box, sources say. But at least two years of negotiations haven’t progressed very far. Sources say Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has concluded that it doesn’t need all, even most, content providers on board before it can release a TV set that people would buy. It just needs enough good programming to distinguish the new product, which will try to simplify the experience of connecting internet video to the TV.”
Right now, cable alternatives like Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Hulu are limited. If Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) can change the content market, cable companies and satellite services could possibly face tough competition.
Source: Quartz
