Apple in Talks to Build Cable Set-Top Box to Display Live Television

[MacRumors]

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has a set-top box in the works that would allow viewing of live cable television as well as other content.

Apple Inc. is in talks with some of the biggest U.S. cable operators about letting consumers use an Apple device as a set-top box for live television and other content, according to people familiar with the matter.

The talks represent Apple's most ambitious crack at infiltrating the living room after years of trying.

Apple doesn't appear to have reached a deal with any cable operators. One obstacle may be the reluctance of operators to let Apple establish a foothold in the television business.

The WSJ suggests Apple's set-top box will be an aftermarket item that could cost "hundreds of dollars" rather than $10-$15 per month for the standard one provided by cable companies. Companies such as Tivo already provide similar boxes to independently replace your cable box by utilizing CableCARD technology.

By following this path, Apple would avoid having to license content directly from providers and instead piggy-back on existing cable television distribution. The report also notes that this technology could eventually find its way into a standalone Apple television set.

Apple is said to have considered a set top box as long as 2 years ago, but Steve Jobs had previously dismissed the market due to the lack of national-providers. Meanwhile, cable companies are reportedly reluctant to give up some control and revenue by allowing Apple into their set top boxes.


Article Link: Apple in Talks to Build Cable Set-Top Box to Display Live Television

[iBreatheApple]

I just want NCAAF on my Apple TV.

[jayhawk11]

Sounds fishy.

[ConCat]

Well, the last I heard TV subscriptions have decreased, so either they step out of their comfort zone or they face fading into oblivion. Not that it matters to me. Netflix makes me happy.

[24601]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

I just want NCAAF on my Apple TV.

The PAC 12 Networks would have a hand in my wallet if they'd make them available ala carte.

[robjulo]

I thought this issue was already "cracked".

[newyorksole]

The TV industry really needs a shake up and Apple are the perfect corporation to do the shaking.

[gregwyattjr]

One box to stream everything from your computer and to display your iPad's screen and to view live television? This will change everything.

[applefanDrew]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

I just want NCAAF on my Apple TV.

I want Sunday Ticket on apple tv.

[redkamel]

Interesting idea. I always thought it unlikely they would make stand alone TVs (for various reasons such as obstruction by cable/internet companies, TV cost, non-computer market, has to integrate with set top boxes etc).

A set top box would allow them upgrade the Apple TV to get live shows and possible a la carte programming without overtly alienating cable companies who provide the programming and date; they could still get a cut of the action. It would also let them keep the apple TV as a comparatively lower tier product. And it would decrease the amount of boxes on a TV stand while guaranteeing the box would work with your provider.

It would also be the same plan they they used with the iphone; superior product and plan on an existing service/data pipe. I am sure thats what they would point to during deals; I would.

All they need is a great deal on content and data, but Apple has a track record of that.

[portishead]

I doubt this is true, but I really wish Apple would release a set top box like Tivo. They could do it a lot better than anything that is on the market. I love my tivo, but too many ads, interface isn't great, and expansibility is almost zero.

Plus even though Tivo is decent, most DVR's from your cable company suck, and you pay $20 monthly for them. It's more expensive up front, but you save money by purchasing a DVR. It takes money to make money (or save I guess).

They could include:
DVR Functionality
Multi Stream Cable cards
Offline iPad/iPhone/computer viewing
Up front cost only (ditch monthly fee)
UPnP/Airplay support
App store (imagine an Apple DVR with Plex!)
Unfortunately it will probably be locked to just playing mp4 or mov and no mkv or open format types.

[Scrub175]

Having live TV through apple tv is about the only major feature preventing 100% usage for me. Google tv (spare the hate) has a nice feature set and passes through live tv for a seamless transfer between NAS, Netflix, amazon instant, web, and cable content. I like how google integrates all those sources all in one device on one input. Hope something is planned for apple tv as well as a set top box option.

[velocityg4]

This would be great if it replaced my current leased Comcast DVR or was something you pay for from Apple with CableCard 2, dual tuner recording and simultaneous playback. Along with full networking support like the AppleTV adding the ability to transfer quickly recorded and compressed 1080 content.

Plus features like saving the guide so I don't have to wait hours after a blackout to have the guide rebuild.

I'd rather it be something I buy with CableCard 2 support for full cable features without the function neutering the cable company does.

[jayducharme]

I don't think this approach would produce "the simplest interface you could imagine."

[KdParker]

I like this idea....love to get rid of my cable boxes.

Hopefully it will work with the wireless cards in TV

[Leonard1818]

I for one have had it with the big cable companies pushing us around and taking advantage when there are limited-to-no other options in the area.

On that premise, I recently cancelled cable (retaining internet). I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER... I went from $125/month for cable/internet to $50/month high speed internet. That's $75 PER MONTH that I am saving. That leaves me PLENTY of money for netflix, hulu, pandora (all of which I now subscribe to), Amazon prime, a TV mount and a fancy antenna for local stations.

Be careful who you partner with Apple... I liked the talks of a standalone apple branded TV set rather than a new cable box for my non-subscription...

[Gjwilly]

An Apple television never made sense to me.
This however seems a perfect match.
Live TV and iTunes all in one box that anyone and their granny could hook up and use in minutes

[PeterQVenkman]

If only the corpses that run the cable companies would let go and let the technology leap forward.

[Dustman]

Believe it when I see it.

[Mr Fusion]

This is all so wrong...

I want a box that helps me CUT THE CORD with cable companies, not a box that keeps me with them!!!

[Billy Boo Bob]

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

I for one have had it with the big cable companies pushing us around and taking advantage when there are limited-to-no other options in the area.

On that premise, I recently cancelled cable (retaining internet). I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER... I went from $125/month for cable/internet to $50/month high speed internet. That's $75 PER MONTH that I am saving. That leaves me PLENTY of money for netflix, hulu, pandora (all of which I now subscribe to), Amazon prime, a TV mount and a fancy antenna for local stations.

I would do the same, but I'm out in the boonies to where I can't get anything at all on HD antenna.

[faroZ06]

The lack of coax input on the Apple TV has always been the dealbreaker for me. I don't care about paid TV, but I want an antenna input for recording and watching live TV.

[vsthsd]

(i've no idea what i'm talking about, take it w/ a grain of salt)

given apple's $ reserves, i'd LOVE to see apple break the back of this awful standard of major broadcasters are for cable providers only.

if they could, i'd imagine this would be the first step towards a la carte programming, which is pretty freaking huge.

basic cable for me costs around $20 in boston for a bunch of broadcast channels. i can't imagine they're getting much of a kickback. any kickback is probably bs too since i theoretically can get it OTA with an HD receiver. it must be existing contracts slowing this down.

does anyone know which? that may give a date when all of this is possible. i think dishnetwork recently had a contract w/ the NFL effectively blocking out a lot of customers.

i feel like all of this is inevitable, and apple knows damn well of it. what gives?

as a side note, if and when apple or someone else achieves this, that's when the net neutrality war really begins. it's ****** enough seeing at&t apply a surcharge for facetime users.

[Mackan]

Sounds like a dead end for Apple.

[albusseverus]

Sounds like one of many options Apple might be trying out, aimed at appeasing cable operators, who also seem to be ISPs. I don't think it would be the only option Apple would pursue, just a fishing expedition, to see if they'll bite.

Has merit, but I can't imagine it would be any more than an app or integrated feature of the current tv, or any future Apple television, for that matter. Describing it as a set-top box, may be a way of disguising Apple's intentions.

An iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator… are you getting it?

This whole, every distributor/channel/publisher has their own App is just ludicrous, unwieldily and so last-century. That's the thing Apple's got to fix.