Apple TV 4K could be used by big UK cable firm as set-top box
Apple is reportedly in early-stage talks with the UK's BT over a potential new partnership, where customers of the EE broadband service could be offered an Apple TV to watch BT's own pay-TV channels, rather than using BT's existing set-top box.
The discussions center around British Telecom's carrier and broadband supplier EE, reports the Telegraph, with the proposals involving BT providing EE customers with an Apple TV to use. The Apple TV would be preloaded with apps that would offer access to pay TV content produced by BT, such as BT Sport, as well as those of other broadcasters.
There is already a relationship between Apple and EE, with the latter providing the Apple TV 4K for a monthly fee, but without a pay-TV element. Based on the report, the plan could alter this existing deal to add the preloaded channel apps.
BT already competes with existing pay TV companies Sky and Virgin Media, and provides its BT Broadband customers a set-top box that uses the home broadband connection, with customers able to access many free-to-air channels alongside paid channel packages. BT Sport, BT's main self-operated channel, is also available to view via mobile apps and on other platforms, including the Apple TV.
Neither BT nor Apple have commented on the report.
It is thought the deal is similar to the one made between Apple and Switzerland's Salt announced at WWDC 2018, with the telecoms and TV company offering the Apple TV as an alternative set-top box to customers. Similar deals have also been made with Canal+ in France, with Charter Spectrum also examining the concept of replacing traditional set-top boxes with the more compact Apple TV.
The proposal is likely to be part of BT's consumer chief Marc Allera's strategy to partner with other technology companies to improve its services. Allera is said to have doubted that BT could compete with firms like Apple and Amazon in developing the company's own set-top boxes, with a switch to producing the software experience on other platforms likely to be an easier prospect than to maintain hardware.
The discussions center around British Telecom's carrier and broadband supplier EE, reports the Telegraph, with the proposals involving BT providing EE customers with an Apple TV to use. The Apple TV would be preloaded with apps that would offer access to pay TV content produced by BT, such as BT Sport, as well as those of other broadcasters.
There is already a relationship between Apple and EE, with the latter providing the Apple TV 4K for a monthly fee, but without a pay-TV element. Based on the report, the plan could alter this existing deal to add the preloaded channel apps.
BT already competes with existing pay TV companies Sky and Virgin Media, and provides its BT Broadband customers a set-top box that uses the home broadband connection, with customers able to access many free-to-air channels alongside paid channel packages. BT Sport, BT's main self-operated channel, is also available to view via mobile apps and on other platforms, including the Apple TV.
Neither BT nor Apple have commented on the report.
It is thought the deal is similar to the one made between Apple and Switzerland's Salt announced at WWDC 2018, with the telecoms and TV company offering the Apple TV as an alternative set-top box to customers. Similar deals have also been made with Canal+ in France, with Charter Spectrum also examining the concept of replacing traditional set-top boxes with the more compact Apple TV.
The proposal is likely to be part of BT's consumer chief Marc Allera's strategy to partner with other technology companies to improve its services. Allera is said to have doubted that BT could compete with firms like Apple and Amazon in developing the company's own set-top boxes, with a switch to producing the software experience on other platforms likely to be an easier prospect than to maintain hardware.
Comments
I connected it so WiFi after I bought it so I could update the software. So far so good. Then I turned WiFi off since I only intend to use it as a monitor for my existing Apple TV, STB and so on, and don’t care to have Google listening in on what I do.
So I get to the settings page and this is what I see:
Seriously, WTF.
Why does Google want to continue to scan for WiFi networks for “location”. It’s a fucking TV - its location will never change. I like how they put “other Apps” in there as a catch all to allow pretty much anything.
So I turned both settings off and forgot about it. A couple weeks later I get a pop-up on my TV that there’s a new software update available. I’m wondering how it knows there’s a new update if I turned WiFi off and it doesn’t have a network connection. Sure enough WiFi is back on. I did the update and AGAIN turned it off.
I’m seriously pissed off this TV doesn’t respect my settings and “reactivates” WiFi on its own without my permission. I’m waiting to see if it does it again them I’m going to complain to Sony about this behavior.
I know a LOT of TVs and set top boxes are now using Android. If this is how they behave (so they can continue sucking my data) then fuck them. Apple, if they were smart, could have an opening here in making a set top box that actually respects your privacy.
Maybe they feel like they're on the back foot since they don't have the media presence that the other big providers, Sky and Virgin, have.
The Apple TV still needs a better remote (preferably one that allows you to directly access channels), but we're otherwise quite happy with it! (To be fair, however, I've been using an Apple TV since the original pizza box)
This was Apple approach since Steve was around to just replace the STB with ATV. Cable operators hate the STB and would be happy to not have to provide it to you and let you buy your own. They now have that solution.
Simple solution, change the password on your WiFi network and do not allow guest access without a password. Can not connect to what it does not have access to. I have everything in my house hardwired. Wireless is only for cellphone and laptops. All my other electronics with internet capabilities are hardwired including the TV but the TV and a few other things are blocked by the router from access the internet, they can access my NAS and video server.
There are several possible solutions I could use. My point is I shouldn’t have to take alternate steps to make sure my TV doesn’t connect. If I turn it off it should stay OFF. This is another example of Google not respecting users choices.
I could deny access via my router, but if Google connects without my permission how do I know it won’t also connect to my neighbors unsecured WiFi?
BTW, my house is also hardwired. WiFi is only for our phones/tablets. I just used it once for the TV for convenience.
They could even drop it onto an m.2 card for future upgradability - the start of something beautiful.
Welcome to "Apple sucks! Other companies provide choice!!"
I have a Roku TV and it will not get past the setup screen. After fighting hours with it and plenty customer service calls to Roku and the TV manufacturer who BOTH kept telling me to call the other and blamed each other, I just stopped trying. My Apple TV 4K turns on my TV and controls it just fine without that mess that is Roku.
Not only is this ecologically a big waste to produce dedicated hardware where you can rely on generic hardware like the Apple TV, it is also another device using space and cables in your home. So I actually do not care if it is for Apple TV or other similar consoles, if companies like Netflix can offer it why do the other content suppliers waste money on additional hardware development...even if it is a source of income, I would prefer them to focus on content! And in a digital age companies need to look at the vertical component chain and focus on what they are really good at, at least in my humble opinion.
When I called Roku they told me to contact the TV manufacturer and when I call the TV manufacturer they blame Roku.
I don't need the Roku after trying Roku at my friends house. WHAT A MESS!