Something to consider is if this is effectively a shadow announcement of a new 4K ATV, or at least one which supports HEVC. The reason I'm saying that is Amazon apparently announced a while ago, that they were switching the HEVC for all of their video streams, not just the 4K, but the SD and HD ones as well, whether it's Amazon Prime Video or not. While I haven't heard anything since then, and don't have a link in front of me, it does cause me at least, to wonder.
I'd say that's almost a given. We'll see a 4K ATV before the year is out IMO.
One thing that may have drawn this agreement out is lingering hard feelings over Amazon and the Justice Department ganging up on Apple a couple of years back, saying that Apple with a market share of 0% was monopolizing the e-books market. After that case, I doubt if Apple execs have been very flexible in negotiating with Amazon.
If Apple "gets" to begin selling AppleTV at Amazon, the implication is that Amazon finally "gets" to put its Prime app on AppleTV. Evidently it gets to do that without paying Apple a % of Prime membership dues. An Amazon Prime app with no special concessions by Apple would not be held up this long.
Tim Cook said Apple TV platform is open to everyone to bring their App and Amazon chose not to dot it. So, it's Amazon's fault for the delay. Now, Amazon has size and money to buy movies/contents at lower pricing so it would be hard for others to compete. Moreover, if Amazon starts TV streaming in combination to Prime video below $25 than that will be a problem for other 5 TV streaming services. Apple has not yet entered the competition and the streaming market is getting crowded which might start pricing was which might benefit customers.
Something to consider is if this is effectively a shadow announcement of a new 4K ATV, or at least one which supports HEVC. The reason I'm saying that is Amazon apparently announced a while ago, that they were switching the HEVC for all of their video streams, not just the 4K, but the SD and HD ones as well, whether it's Amazon Prime Video or not. While I haven't heard anything since then, and don't have a link in front of me, it does cause me at least, to wonder.
I'd say that's almost a given. We'll see a 4K ATV before the year is out IMO.
For me to share that opinion, 4K content would have to be available through at least the top 10 if not top 20 apps on the Apple TV. It's not. Not even close. Not even the top 5.
1. iTunes = No (but presumably would be if they released a 4K model) 2. Netflix = Yes* 3. Hulu = No. 4. HBO = No. 5. Showtime = No. 6. Starz = No. 7. YouTube = Some, mostly No.
* = for an up-charge, which is hardly appropriate, and would not be popular.
And let's not forget all the streaming cable apps:
When Apple released the 1080p Apple TV, they upgraded iTunes Video content to 1080p that same day...and by doing so, they were not the first 1080p content to be ready for Apple TV, they were the last.
What I want to see from Apple is a heavily subsidized bundle that gets you access to these VOD Apps. As this platform has grown, the costs for subscribing to "all" of the VOD apps to get access to "all" of the content out there, has gotten way out of hand. I can't be the only one who has noticed the scam the industry has running where so-called "licensing agreements" result in all of the content being spread out through 10 different VOD companies. This isn't a fad anymore, this is staple of content delivery, and for many people the exclusive means of Living Room content.
Apple should offer a single $29/mon subscription, billed through iTunes. It gets you access to: Netflix Hulu HBO Now Showtime Starz Amazon Prime
For me to share that opinion, 4K content would have to be available through at least the top 10 if not top 20 apps on the Apple TV. It's not. Not even close. Not even the top 5.
1. iTunes = No (but presumably would be if they released a 4K model) 2. Netflix = Yes* 3. Hulu = No. 4. HBO = No. 5. Showtime = No. 6. Starz = No. 7. YouTube = Some, mostly No.
Of course Amazon Prime would also have 4k content. And for me, iTunes+Netflix+Amazon would be enough to begin. I'm sure HBO and Showtime will catchup. I have no interest in the other services at the moment. I suspect the big holdup is securing a reasonable amount of 4k content on the iTunes Store.
What I want to see from Apple is a heavily subsidized bundle that gets you access to these VOD Apps. As this platform has grown, the costs for subscribing to "all" of the VOD apps to get access to "all" of the content out there, has gotten way out of hand. I can't be the only one who has noticed the scam the industry has running where so-called "licensing agreements" result in all of the content being spread out through 10 different VOD companies. This isn't a fad anymore, this is staple of content delivery, and for many people the exclusive means of Living Room content.
Apple should offer a single $29/mon subscription, billed through iTunes. It gets you access to: Netflix Hulu HBO Now Showtime Starz Amazon Prime
All of those services add up individual to about $50/month. Creating such a bundle would have Apple losing money, every month, in an effort to sell a few million more $150 units in a single market (USA).
Not a big deal since Apple TV isn't 4K. I've been watching Man in the High Castle in 4K HDR through the Prime app on my TV. Looks awesome. I don't want to downgrade picture quality using an Apple TV. Prime has a bunch of good stuff in 4K.
Not a big deal since Apple TV isn't 4K. I've been watching Man in the High Castle in 4K HDR through the Prime app on my TV. Looks awesome. I don't want to downgrade picture quality using an Apple TV. Prime has a bunch of good stuff in 4K.
While I obviously don't have any special knowledge, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, Amazon has been transitioning all of it's streaming video content to using HEVC, regardless of what resolution it uses.
We're stoked in my household. Cut the satellite cord after 20+ years a few months ago. Went to VUE on ATV4. Most of the rest of recreational viewing is Prime through the usual crap interface, 1080i, on our supposedly Smart TV. Even when renting a movie I'd rather spend (a little) more for better PQ on the ATV.
Cripes, I can remove the SMART button setting from my Logitech 650.
For me to share that opinion, 4K content would have to be available through at least the top 10 if not top 20 apps on the Apple TV. It's not. Not even close. Not even the top 5.
1. iTunes = No (but presumably would be if they released a 4K model) 2. Netflix = Yes* 3. Hulu = No. 4. HBO = No. 5. Showtime = No. 6. Starz = No. 7. YouTube = Some, mostly No.
And for me, iTunes+Netflix+Amazon would be enough to begin.
Ok, that's "for you". For the rest of the market, for Apple deciding what kind of product to deliver and when, that is paltry.
What I want to see from Apple is a heavily subsidized bundle that gets you access to these VOD Apps. As this platform has grown, the costs for subscribing to "all" of the VOD apps to get access to "all" of the content out there, has gotten way out of hand. I can't be the only one who has noticed the scam the industry has running where so-called "licensing agreements" result in all of the content being spread out through 10 different VOD companies. This isn't a fad anymore, this is staple of content delivery, and for many people the exclusive means of Living Room content.
Apple should offer a single $29/mon subscription, billed through iTunes. It gets you access to: Netflix Hulu HBO Now Showtime Starz Amazon Prime
All of those services add up individual to about $50/month. Creating such a bundle would have Apple losing money, every month, in an effort to sell a few million more $150 units in a single market (USA).
Doesn't sound very Apple-like to me.
You can't lose money when you aren't making it in the first place. No meaningful percentage of users subscribes to all of those services. Only a few million users actually subscribe to 2, or more. Apple described as much during the last earnings call. This would be a boon for the services listed that wouldn't otherwise have certain users. I'm a good example. I pay for Netflix and Hulu, and if HBO were a little more reason, I would pay for that too. Right around the $30/mon mark. This seems to be the max that most people are willing to spend per month on streaming services. If I subscribe to them, that leaves no money to spend on Starz, Showtime, etc.
It is in the interest of all of these services to commit to bundle like this.
Comments
If Apple "gets" to begin selling AppleTV at Amazon, the implication is that Amazon finally "gets" to put its Prime app on AppleTV. Evidently it gets to do that without paying Apple a % of Prime membership dues. An Amazon Prime app with no special concessions by Apple would not be held up this long.
1. iTunes = No (but presumably would be if they released a 4K model)
2. Netflix = Yes*
3. Hulu = No.
4. HBO = No.
5. Showtime = No.
6. Starz = No.
7. YouTube = Some, mostly No.
* = for an up-charge, which is hardly appropriate, and would not be popular.
And let's not forget all the streaming cable apps:
8. Sling TV = No.
9. PSVue = No.
10. DirecTVNow = No.
Shall I continue? Or this trend clear enough?
When Apple released the 1080p Apple TV, they upgraded iTunes Video content to 1080p that same day...and by doing so, they were not the first 1080p content to be ready for Apple TV, they were the last.
Apple should offer a single $29/mon subscription, billed through iTunes. It gets you access to:
Netflix
Hulu
HBO Now
Showtime
Starz
Amazon Prime
Seriously? Wow. I didn't think that anyone outside of a ascetic monastary was actually Amazon-free
While I obviously don't have any special knowledge, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, Amazon has been transitioning all of it's streaming video content to using HEVC, regardless of what resolution it uses.
Cripes, I can remove the SMART button setting from my Logitech 650.
You can't lose money when you aren't making it in the first place. No meaningful percentage of users subscribes to all of those services. Only a few million users actually subscribe to 2, or more. Apple described as much during the last earnings call. This would be a boon for the services listed that wouldn't otherwise have certain users. I'm a good example. I pay for Netflix and Hulu, and if HBO were a little more reason, I would pay for that too. Right around the $30/mon mark. This seems to be the max that most people are willing to spend per month on streaming services. If I subscribe to them, that leaves no money to spend on Starz, Showtime, etc.
It is in the interest of all of these services to commit to bundle like this.