Apple Pitching iTunes Subscriptions to TV Networks?

[MacRumors]

MediaMemo reports that Apple has approached a number of TV networks in recent weeks to pitch its vision of a monthly subscription service that would allow the networks to deliver their content to consumers via iTunes with the idea of replacing consumers' cable packages.

Apple isn't tying the proposed service to a specific piece of hardware, like its underwhelming Apple TV box, or its long-rumored tablet/slate device. Instead, it is presenting the offer as an extension of its iTunes software, which already has a huge installed base: A year ago, Apple said it had 65 million iTunes customer accounts.

A so-called "over the top" service could theoretically rival the ones most consumers already buy from cable TV operators -- if Apple is able to get enough buy-in from broadcast and cable TV programmers.

Apple is reportedly looking to launch the service early next year but faces a number of hurdles, the most significant being that no networks have yet to sign on to the plan. Disney, which holds close ties with Apple CEO Steve Jobs and has been an early-adopter of iTunes distribution offerings, is viewed as the likely leader should the movement hope to gain momentum.

According to the report's sources, TV networks are intrigued by the potential for increased revenue streams that could be afforded by Apple's proposal, but are also leery of harming their existing relationships with the cable companies that carry their programming and advertisers who look to viewership numbers on those systems when targeting their campaigns.

The report notes that other companies, including Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and Google's YouTube have also been moving into the digital delivery arena, indicating that the time may be right for Apple to make its move.

So Apple's proposed subscription service, which the company has floated in the past, is no longer a huge stretch. Says one executive briefed on the company's plans: "I think they might get it right this time."

Article Link: Apple Pitching iTunes Subscriptions to TV Networks?

[Peace]

There go the rates for broadband.

[jaw04005]

Even if they just get Disney for a January launch, that would be huge.

With my local news (and even sports) broadcasting online, I would dump my cable subscription in a heartbeat.

[Eidorian]

I don't have the bandwidth for this kind of stuff, sheesh.

[mcdermd]

Goodbye Dish Network?

Seriously, if this would allow me to subscribe to the three or four networks I actually watch, then it's goodbye to the $65 monthly Dish bill.

[jaw04005]

If they offer this, I bet they introduce a streaming model to iTunes. I don't see them offering a "pick 10 TV Shows for $29.99 per month" or whatever. I don't want to download and store the content anyway.

[Mattie Num Nums]

Goodbye Apple Computers

Apple is a new company now.

[Glideslope]

Originally Posted by jaw04005

If they offer this, I bet they introduce a streaming model to iTunes. I don't see them offering a "pick 10 TV Shows for $29.99 per month" or whatever. I don't want to download and store the content anyway.

Yup. So what is this new 600,000 sq' facility down south? Cloud Streaming Networks? TV on the go? One huge iTunes Server streaming various media around the globe to "Tablets".

One wonders. Steve is has something Huge planned IMO.

[drossad]

Originally Posted by mcdermd

Goodbye Dish Network?

Seriously, if this would allow me to subscribe to the three or four networks I actually watch, then it's goodbye to the $65 monthly Dish bill.

Exactly!

I do not have cable/dish, and I have repeatedly told the cable companies that until they have "a la carte" subscriptions (ie: purchasing individual networks at individual prices) I will not be a customer.

If Apple could pull this off with networks like the NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, Discovery, History, Nickelodeon, etc. at a good price (that's the key) I would be a customer in a heartbeat!!!

[kugino]

don't understand why networks would be afraid of cable companies...after all, it's the cable companies that need the content more than the other way around...adding another source of revenue would be a good move for the networks, it seems. but then again, i don't trust the networks and cable companies to always do the smart thing...

[asrai]

Originally Posted by mcdermd

Goodbye Dish Network?

Seriously, if this would allow me to subscribe to the three or four networks I actually watch, then it's goodbye to the $65 monthly Dish bill.

Dish, DirecTV, *.CableCompany... I've said for many years, that when À la carte programing becomes available, there would only be one choice to be made.

I really hope this comes to fruition. Satellite and Cable need some real competition.

[FearNo1]

This will never happen..at least not with HBO since it will hurt its cable, sat TV subs and DVD sales. Recall that HBO wanted to charge netflix subscribers $10 per month just to stream their content.

Originally Posted by asrai

Dish, DirecTV, *.CableCompany... I've said for many years, that when À la carte programing becomes available, there would only be one choice to be made.

I really hope this comes to fruition. Satellite and Cable need some real competition.

[Kilamite]

Price it right and I'm in.

Of course, the majority of TV shows I watch are American (How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Lost, Family Guy, South Park etc..) so I'd probably not be able to subscribe to those channels due to countries?

If it was a global thing - I could subscribe to any tv network in the world, then it could be a huge thing.

[Maury]

Originally Posted by Kilamite

Price it right and I'm in..

Me too. The problem is its not priced right right now. $3.49 CAD for an HD show. Seriously? The Daily Show is available in lowsy-def only, at $1.99 for a 22 minute episode? Come on!

I want a subscription that's $1 per hour of show, 1 week to watch it. Do that and I'll be buying about a dozen shows all the time.

Maury

[840quadra]

I have not used Cable TV or over the air TV for years. Everything I watch is either purchased on iTunes, or streamed from the plethora of networks offering shows to watch online.

I would welcome this feature, as many of the iTunes purchase I have made are TV shows that I have only watched a few times (unless the show is amazing).

[aokiqiao]

If disney jumps aboard the rest will follow suit. Theres so many hannah montana tween viewers with ipods/iphones that they would no doubt profit off of.

[joeshell383]

Originally Posted by aokiqiao

If disney jumps aboard the rest will follow suit. Theres so many hannah montana tween viewers with ipods/iphones that they would no doubt profit off of.

Um... Last I checked Disney owned all or part of ABC, ESPN, Lifetime, SOAPNET, A&E, The History Channel and more.

[badhorsie777]

Originally Posted by joeshell383

Um... Last I checked Disney owned all or part of ABC, ESPN, Lifetime, SOAPNET, A&E, The History Channel and more.

... if I could get those channels (A&E, History Channel specifically) with Disney for my kid... yeah I'm in. Please PLEASE snag the discovery channel group of channels (TLC, etc.) and I'd be a long-term subscriber. I really only miss those channels from Directv, and my wife and I currently have a hulu queue getting our network shows that we like, and ONLY those shows updated with email alerts... man that's the way to do shows! Can't go back now.

-Matt

[longofest]

Originally Posted by aokiqiao

If disney jumps aboard the rest will follow suit. Theres so many hannah montana tween viewers with ipods/iphones that they would no doubt profit off of.

Keep in mind that Disney owns ABC and ESPN as well as it's self-branded networks. Here's a list.

[iOrlando]

Originally Posted by aokiqiao

If disney jumps aboard the rest will follow suit. Theres so many hannah montana tween viewers with ipods/iphones that they would no doubt profit off of.

one word comcast

comcast will not allow disney to go through this subscription-based model on itunes and continue to support all their channels on their cable lineup. However, and this is a big however, if Disney said screw it, and jumped anyway (with their long list of channels)....followed by at least one other major network (like CBS)...comcast will be SOFL. Maybe why comcast is buying NBC? they see change coming? hmm

biggest problem i see...realistically..the US is not ready to substitute TV for Internet. Think of all the people over 50...they dont have the capacity to view shows on a computer......and in my above example...i had Disney switching over completely..which wont make sense if they are losing millions of viewers due to their incapacity from a technological point of view of watching shows.

lets get Woz's point of view.

[paradox00]

Originally Posted by iOrlando

biggest problem i see...realistically..the US is not ready to substitute TV for Internet. Think of all the people over 50...they dont have the capacity to view shows on a computer......and in my above example...i had Disney switching over completely..which wont make sense if they are losing millions of viewers due to their incapacity from a technological point of view of watching shows.

lets get Woz's point of view.

It wouldn't have to be as big of a jump as you think. They would simply be replacing the cable box with an Apple TV, you wouldn't need the capacity to view shows over a computer to take advantage of this model. It would come down to the Apple TV interface that Apple came up with.

Although I doubt that Apple will come up with a complete cable alternative anytime soon (would be nice though).

[xlii]

Originally Posted by iOrlando

one word comcast

comcast will not allow disney to go through this subscription-based model on itunes and continue to support all their channels on their cable lineup. However, and this is a big however, if Disney said screw it, and jumped anyway (with their long list of channels)....followed by at least one other major network (like CBS)...comcast will be SOFL. Maybe why comcast is buying NBC? they see change coming? hmm

biggest problem i see...realistically..the US is not ready to substitute TV for Internet. Think of all the people over 50...they dont have the capacity to view shows on a computer......and in my above example...i had Disney switching over completely..which wont make sense if they are losing millions of viewers due to their incapacity from a technological point of view of watching shows.

lets get Woz's point of view.

I was designing hardware when you were still in diapers. Just because someone is over 50 doesn't mean that they aren't tech savvy. I meet a lot of folks both young and old that are very tech challeged and frankly afraid to mess with the machine because they might break it.

[Arcadie]

Originally Posted by aokiqiao

If disney jumps aboard the rest will follow suit. Theres so many hannah montana tween viewers with ipods/iphones that they would no doubt profit off of.

Keep in mind that disney owns ABC and ESPN,so it would just be for tweens, How sweet would it be to stream monday night football!

[Aeolius]

You can keep your sports packages... I tend to stick with Discovery and National Geographic, with a sprinkling of Syfy and HBO. The kids will keep the TV tuned to Nick, Cartoon Network, and the like.

[LEStudios]

Originally Posted by 840quadra

I have not used Cable TV or over the air TV for years. Everything I watch is either purchased on iTunes, or streamed from the plethora of networks offering shows to watch online.

I would welcome this feature, as many of the iTunes purchase I have made are TV shows that I have only watched a few times (unless the show is amazing).

Yeah I'm the same here just now I want a 27" Quad i7 iMac to do it on!