Apple considering selling 'premium' TV bundle with HBO, Starz & Showtime - report
Taking an alternate approach to entering pay TV, Apple is reportedly proposing a bundle of three "premium" channels -- namely HBO, Showtime, and Starz.
Although no deal is yet in place Apple has approached the networks about the idea, Recode said on Sunday. The company has so far been stymied trying to launching a streaming TV service, allegedly because of hardline demands that most if not all content providers were unwilling to accept -- even long-time partner Disney.
Recode suggested that Apple could deliver a bundle as platform exclusive, available via iOS and the Apple TV.
HBO, Showtime, and Starz all sell subscriptions through their apps, at costs of $14.99, $10.99, and $8.99, respectively. Presumably a bundle would come at a discount, but no word on pricing has emerged.
Such a deal could upset other TV providers, which typically only offer bundles of basic channels, making premium ones a high-cost extra. Even internet-only platforms like Sony's PlayStation Vue have adopted this model.
At the same time the digital TV market is rapidly evolving, and the value of luring in cord-cutters could outweigh any risk in alienating providers. Indeed networks may have long since crossed that threshold by offering standalone internet plans.
An Apple bundle could theoretically be announced alongside a fifth-generation Apple TV, rumored for launch later this year with minor upgrades like 4K support.
Although no deal is yet in place Apple has approached the networks about the idea, Recode said on Sunday. The company has so far been stymied trying to launching a streaming TV service, allegedly because of hardline demands that most if not all content providers were unwilling to accept -- even long-time partner Disney.
Recode suggested that Apple could deliver a bundle as platform exclusive, available via iOS and the Apple TV.
HBO, Showtime, and Starz all sell subscriptions through their apps, at costs of $14.99, $10.99, and $8.99, respectively. Presumably a bundle would come at a discount, but no word on pricing has emerged.
Such a deal could upset other TV providers, which typically only offer bundles of basic channels, making premium ones a high-cost extra. Even internet-only platforms like Sony's PlayStation Vue have adopted this model.
At the same time the digital TV market is rapidly evolving, and the value of luring in cord-cutters could outweigh any risk in alienating providers. Indeed networks may have long since crossed that threshold by offering standalone internet plans.
An Apple bundle could theoretically be announced alongside a fifth-generation Apple TV, rumored for launch later this year with minor upgrades like 4K support.
Comments
I would like to watch Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen but I don't really want the Food Network. There's something I want to watch on the History channel but I don't care about the rest. I'd like to just pick what I want to watch and watch that. I don't care about any channels. Shouldn't the best experience be just watching what you want? Why should I care about a channel?
It will cost you a bit over $10 / month...
Apple should set up this rotation for you. I would piss off the Studios, but who cares. They are getting paid for their content.
That's a way Apple can add value and differentiate.
The problem is that the studios don't want Apple to have the same sort of control they have in the music market. If that happens then it becomes much harder for them to raise prices in the future. I don't think they will agree to any deal with Apple unless they set up a few more deals with Apple's competition first. Once this happens then Apple is on the back foot in negotiations.
Sure, but handling the largest US sporting event just fine proves that they can stream live sports a la carte if the content owners care to do it. I don't generally watch sports, but can't we already get MLB and NHL as live streaming channels?
Live sports on ATV is really an unknown. MLB and NHL have their season passes (as does the NBA, I think.) It seems like there are a scattering of other esoteric sports (olympic, seasonal, soccer) on other channels, but ESPN is bleeding customers. I'd be curious what the sweet spot price of alacarte games would be? I'd pay $.99 for a game day pass to a single NFL game. YMMV.