Apple aims to debut TV slate in 2019, sans any HBO-style risque content
Apple is reportedly aiming to have a "small slate" of TV shows ready to debut in 2019, but with sanitized content devoid of the violence, profanity, and/or nudity allowed on networks like HBO and Showtime.
The first few shows will be available to "everyone with an Apple device" rather than just Apple Music subscribers -- possibly via the "TV" app for iPhones, iPads, and the Apple TV, Bloomberg said on Wednesday. Accordingly the company is said to be turning down show pitches with anything like risque content, such as an eight-part series by "Children of Men" director Alfonso Cuaron, starring Casey Affleck.
Apple executives "don't want kids catching a stray nipple," Bloomberg said. The site noted that many producers have begun labeling Apple as too conservative, and indeed its rumored reboot of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" is unlikely to have any controversial material.
The company's conservative attitude may have contributed to the delay of "Carpool Karaoke," which eventually came to Apple Music in August. Just days before a planned April premiere, CEO Tim Cook reportedly ordered cuts of "foul language and references to vaginal hygiene." The company also shot more episodes, though, and diverted some resources to another show.
Instead of something like "Game of Thrones" or "Breaking Bad," Apple is said to be angling for shows with a wider demographic, akin to NBC's "This Is Us."
Apple is expected to spend $1 billion or more on shows during the next year. Some of these should be international endeavors, as evidenced by recent hiring including former Channel 4 executive Jay Hunt.
A conservative stance would explain the absence of "Vital Signs," an Apple-commissioned show starring rapper, producer, and now-Apple executive Dr. Dre. First reported in Feb. 2016, the show has been described as a dark drama with plenty of sex and violence, even including an orgy scene.
The first few shows will be available to "everyone with an Apple device" rather than just Apple Music subscribers -- possibly via the "TV" app for iPhones, iPads, and the Apple TV, Bloomberg said on Wednesday. Accordingly the company is said to be turning down show pitches with anything like risque content, such as an eight-part series by "Children of Men" director Alfonso Cuaron, starring Casey Affleck.
Apple executives "don't want kids catching a stray nipple," Bloomberg said. The site noted that many producers have begun labeling Apple as too conservative, and indeed its rumored reboot of Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" is unlikely to have any controversial material.
The company's conservative attitude may have contributed to the delay of "Carpool Karaoke," which eventually came to Apple Music in August. Just days before a planned April premiere, CEO Tim Cook reportedly ordered cuts of "foul language and references to vaginal hygiene." The company also shot more episodes, though, and diverted some resources to another show.
Instead of something like "Game of Thrones" or "Breaking Bad," Apple is said to be angling for shows with a wider demographic, akin to NBC's "This Is Us."
Apple is expected to spend $1 billion or more on shows during the next year. Some of these should be international endeavors, as evidenced by recent hiring including former Channel 4 executive Jay Hunt.
A conservative stance would explain the absence of "Vital Signs," an Apple-commissioned show starring rapper, producer, and now-Apple executive Dr. Dre. First reported in Feb. 2016, the show has been described as a dark drama with plenty of sex and violence, even including an orgy scene.
Comments
instantly have the biggest TV platform day one which makes sense to tone down violence etc.
but this can backfire in the future as frustrated creative directors leave for freedom and adult viewers opt for Netflix/HBO instead. Not sure what the solution is here....
Oh boy.
Good luck with that.
Carpool Karaoke could use a lot more advertising etc. but it’s definitely not “uncool” to the public’s eyes.
What does this mean?
I think Apple needs to form a subsidiary for this stuff, so that Apple isn't identified directly with the content produced. This would provide more artistic freedom, rather than being slaves to some squeaky clean image they feel is necessary to promote their hardware.
As for profanity, ffs, let's stop ignoring real language in use today by real people in the real world.
The problem with creating programmes so inoffensive such that children could view them is that you create children's content and a child's view of life in adult programmes. Sanitised language means vapid characters speaking insipid dialogue, and then they throw in some moralising just to spice things up a bit.
Thanks, but don't the networks provide enough of that drivel?
Yes, HBO and others indulge in gratuitous sex/violence/profanity, that's undeniable, but they also are creating some of the best programmes out there, and that's also undeniable. As for great programming coming from network television of late??? There's a reason people have turned to these other content producers, Apple shouldn't lose sight of that lest they ignore a huge segment of their customer base.
IMO, Apple would have more relevance, drive more engagement, and earn more services revenue if they focused on developing an offer from current iTunes Movie & TV content. Some options/thoughts:
- Make it have an element of subscription. Example: for $10/month, you get one free movie rental per month + discounts on each rental. Say discounted rentals for movies are $2.99 - $3.99 (vs. $4.99-$5.99).
- Extend the rental period to at least 3 days (72 hours). Ensure you can watch that rental on any device under that AppleID membership
- Develop a rental service for series that does not include the "current season" (cheaper than the Season Package of purchase). Make the catchup on series much easier and economical. People are far more likely to rent than buy, and if brings them up to speed, perhaps more likely to increase viewership of current season shows. Rental for each show would be the 72 hours (not the series:)
- Provide discounts for purchases (e.g. 20% discount on purchase while a subscriber).
- Into this you can bring the Apple content (e.g. you can get it included with Apple Music, or it can be included in this "iTunes Bundle" service).
These are just some thoughts - not what I expect Apple to do. The point is to outline how Apple could make a compelling video content service.
We get fake news from CNN ,WaPo & NYT.
Late night shows too.
I like Apple’s & Disney’s approach.
Get real, Tim Cook!
Are you predicting doom for Disney, too? No risqué content, lame right!?
Some problems with your lines of thought.
- Cook's politics are probably similar to Jobs', tho we simply don't know. They've worked with both parties.
- Not hating gays is hardly some controversial stance to take in politics. It's rightly the new normal, and those who have problems with gays will gradually die off.
- I see nothing stating this is about Cook's preferences anyhow. Apple has a corporate culture and image, which is larger and older than Cook
- The majority of television content is not rated R. Again, Breaking Bad: no language or sexuality. Plenty of drama (and conceptual violence, but most here are stuck on sex). Ever watch Better Call Saul? Rated best show on television last year by NPR. No language, nudity, or violence. Just drama.
- What is Amazon if not tech people?
- The people who pay for entertainment budgets set the tone. This has always been the case, and would be no different with Apple-funded projects than Weinstein-funded projects.