Disney's ABC reportedly working on live streaming TV app
Walt Disney Co. is said to be working on a new live streaming television app for its broadcast network ABC that will make content available to cable and satellite subscribers.
Existing TV subscribers will be able to stream live programming anywhere they have an Internet connection with the forthcoming mobile application, according to The New York Times. Sources who revealed the information said the application could arrive as soon as this year.
Even though ABC is a free over-the-air public network, the streaming capabilities will reportedly only be available to cable and satellite subscribers so that Disney will not upset providers.
"With the app, ABC, a subsidiary of Disney, will become the first of the American broadcasters to provide a live Internet stream of national and local programming to people who pay for cable or satellite," author Brian Stelter wrote.
Disney has been on the forefront of streaming live television with its "Watch ESPN" app for Apple's iOS. That service offers a large number of live streaming sports events to users who log in with credentials provided through their cable operator.
ABC was one of the first television networks to embrace the iPad, developing a launch day app for the first-generation iPad back in 2010. The existing ABC Player is now a universal app for iPhone and iPad that can be used to stream previously-aired episodes of current shows.
Apple and Disney have long been close partners in media, as Steve Jobs was the company's largest shareholder through his sale of animation studio Pixar, while Disney CEO Bob Iger currently serves on the Apple Board of Directors. Disney also uses Apple products like iPads and iPod touches at some of its world-renowned theme parks in an effort to better serve visitors.
Existing TV subscribers will be able to stream live programming anywhere they have an Internet connection with the forthcoming mobile application, according to The New York Times. Sources who revealed the information said the application could arrive as soon as this year.
Even though ABC is a free over-the-air public network, the streaming capabilities will reportedly only be available to cable and satellite subscribers so that Disney will not upset providers.
"With the app, ABC, a subsidiary of Disney, will become the first of the American broadcasters to provide a live Internet stream of national and local programming to people who pay for cable or satellite," author Brian Stelter wrote.
Disney has been on the forefront of streaming live television with its "Watch ESPN" app for Apple's iOS. That service offers a large number of live streaming sports events to users who log in with credentials provided through their cable operator.
ABC was one of the first television networks to embrace the iPad, developing a launch day app for the first-generation iPad back in 2010. The existing ABC Player is now a universal app for iPhone and iPad that can be used to stream previously-aired episodes of current shows.
Apple and Disney have long been close partners in media, as Steve Jobs was the company's largest shareholder through his sale of animation studio Pixar, while Disney CEO Bob Iger currently serves on the Apple Board of Directors. Disney also uses Apple products like iPads and iPod touches at some of its world-renowned theme parks in an effort to better serve visitors.
Comments
That's a little BS that they're unwilling to upset the providers considering you could get the channel over the air without them.
What we need is to be able to stream, even at a cost, or buy off iTunes at time of. No cable required
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb0731
That's a little BS that they're unwilling to upset the providers considering you could get the channel over the air without them.
and considering they are likely your ISP anyway.
Originally Posted by charlituna
What we need is to be able to stream, even at a cost, or buy off iTunes at time of. No cable required
Agree. We need to unbundle just the content we want.
Can't stand paying for channels, in a bundle, that I will absolutely never watch.
Yes, I have to log in with my cable account info, but I can watch anywhere I am, not just at home. (Well, assuming you are connected to a US based ISP or location. Tried watching the Celtics/Heat game on Watch ESPN last June, while in south Florida, and was told streaming was not allowed outside the US)
EDIT: link to press release
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1771792&highlight=
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyb0731
That's a little BS that they're unwilling to upset the providers considering you could get the channel over the air without them.
It is free over the air, but the content provider charge cable and satellite companies a lot to carry their signal (retransmission consent). Disney/ABC really does not want to upset this revenue stream. OTOH, they did pay a lot of money to obtain NBA, NFL and college football programming.
They aren't preventing anyone from getting an antenna and streaming it to your iPad. There are devices/apps for that too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonky
Keep pulling that string Tim. Don't take too long though.
I think he's trying to 'push' that string. With expected results.
While its nice they want to make an app, I wish they would all get together and have Apple design the app 'structure' that could be used by all providers.
These various apps can be so frustrating.
Plus, on top of that, here's the kicker I have... if I do not log in often, my id password gets canceled.
so if I only log in once every six month trip... nope... have to ask for password etc in my account. Which is a pain... oh wheres your billing statement etc.
Prove that you are you to get your new password.
IMO - Cable companies and the main content providers are oligarchies and near monopolies and should be treated as such.
I don't want the goverment to tell them what to program, but I do want the govt to provide a regulatory structure for them to be open and fair with customers about cable and internet plans and rates and structures and my fair use of the content that I am paying. Yes boys... you are just a pipeline... sorry.
Whew.. end of rant... Im going home now.
Understandable. But it is your cable account user name and password. The log in screen is essentially an iframe to your providers website login. A token of some sort must be passed to the app to enable the live streaming.
Well they dont have enough money. Its probably a contract issue.