Apple to Ramp Up Original Content, Considered Buying Time Warner Last Year

[MacRumors]

iTunes and services chief Eddy Cue proposed the idea of Apple bidding on media conglomerate Time Warner at the end of last year, according to the FT.

The discussions reportedly never progressed beyond the preliminary stage, however, and did not involve Apple CEO Tim Cook or Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes.

The meetings had reportedly been arranged for the companies to discuss other partnerships, such as the inclusion of Time Warner assets in Apple's much-rumored streaming TV service.

Time Warner and its subsidiaries own several iconic media properties, including CNN, HBO, TBS, and TNT, that would be appropriate for a Netflix-like service streamable on the Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other devices. The company also holds the broadcast rights for the NBA in the United States.

The report adds that Apple plans to ramp up spending on original content to "several hundred million dollars a year" in order to better compete with rivals like Amazon and Netflix, both of which offer a growing number of exclusive TV series.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Apple executives met with TV producers and Hollywood studios about developing original TV shows that it would offer exclusively to its iTunes customers. Those discussions were also reportedly led by Cue and Robert Kondrk, vice-president of iTunes content.

The original content could spearhead Apple's plans to launch its streaming TV service, which has been delayed due to its difficulties in securing deals with media providers like CBS, ABC, Fox, Disney, Discovery, and Viacom.

Earlier reports claimed that Apple would offer a skinny bundle of channels for around $30 to $40 per month, while the original content would presumably be available to stream or purchase on the iTunes Store.

In April 2015, Time Warner CEO Bewkes said he was "pretty confident" that Apple will eventually launch a streaming TV service.

Article Link: Apple to Ramp Up Original Content, Considered Buying Time Warner Last Year

 

[Crosscreek]

Apple is going to need an alphabet too.

 

[Bonte]

Buy Disney

 

[American Hero]

I can see it now...

Eddy: "Tim, I think we should buy Time Warner---we could do some great, innovative breakthroughs in technology if we do so."

Tim: "What, take a risk? Nah, we can't do that."

 

[macintologist]

I'm glad Apple didn't introduce the TV service. There's no way I'm paying $30-40/month for media content. Max I'll pay is $10/mo, or just go to the public library and check out DVDs.

 

[SuchInnovation]

Interesting.

 

[scott911]

don't bother filming any of this new content in 4K, right Apple?

 

[Gasu E.]

Ramp up original content? How about ramping up their Mac lineup?

This is an automated message from the iRollbot. Posts of the format: "Apple did <business action>? What about <unrelated business action>?" automatically receive an iRoll .

 

[BeefCake 15]

Apple,

Please buy Sony Entertainment and fix their abhorrent Super Hero movies they've been coming out lately. Yes, I'm looking at you Superman v. Batman!

 

[i5pro]

And my friend Eddie is going to run with this? How about fixing what you already broke?

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

Oh yey, I can't wait till the walled garden with no sex drugs or offensive content comes to tv!! Are you kidding me, am I the only one thinking this is horrible? You think Apple would make a breaking bad or something?! I don't think so.... Apple stick to tech, even that's not going great recently.

 

[smaffei]

Apple,

Please buy Sony Entertainment and fix their abhorrent Super Hero movies they've been coming out lately. Yes, I'm looking at you Superman v. Batman!

Um, BvS was made by Warner Brothers not Sony. So, yes, I'm looking at you "BeefCake 15"

 

[Harmonious Zen]

I'd love moves like this. Apple is at a point where it can be ubiquitous in our lives if it decides to do so. The car is a big step in that direction, but acquiring companies like Time Warner would be as well. Apple doesn't need to just be a technology company. I'd love it if in 10-15 years, hardware sales only occupied 1/4 to 1/3 of Apple's total revenue.

 

[Tim Chef]

Whatever they do, I look forward to seeing it come to Canada 10 years later.

 

[dewski]

I'm glad Apple didn't introduce the TV service. There's no way I'm paying $30-40/month for media content. Max I'll pay is $10/mo, or just go to the public library and check out DVDs.

If this is sarcasm then disregard, but many, many people are paying 200+ a month for cable and internet. I am one of those and I am about to cut the cord. Sling Tv and other competing companies are going to take the place of cable soon and I would love apple to throw their hat in the ring. More options is always better. Even if I paid for 2 services like this, it would be much cheaper per month than cable. Also if I could get the NBA on apple tv, that would solve all my problems with getting rid of cable, as that is the only thing keeping me from leaving sooner.

 

[hawwkk55]

Apple,

Please buy Sony Entertainment and fix their abhorrent Super Hero movies they've been coming out lately. Yes, I'm looking at you Superman v. Batman!

Off topic, but it was not Sony who developed Superman vs. Batman rather Warner Brothers (WB). Sony produced the Amazing Spiderman 1 and 2.

 

[Dilster3k]

Original content from Apple sounds like a disaster quite honestly.

This is a list of acquisitions made by Apple and it's very revealing seeing how they've been fairing up recently, you simply can't buy "cool" Apple.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Oh yey, I can't wait till the walled garden with no sex drugs or offensive content comes to tv!! Are you kidding me, am I the only one thinking this is horrible? You think Apple would make a breaking bad or something?! I don't think so.... Apple stick to tech, even that's not going great recently.

You're getting so angry about a hypothetical scenario you created. Maybe take a deep breath and count to ten.

 

[iamgalt]

Apple, stick with tech that allows us to watch the content created by others. And even the tech needs to cut back on the fragmentation. Just sayin'

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

I'm glad Apple didn't introduce the TV service. There's no way I'm paying $30-40/month for media content. Max I'll pay is $10/mo, or just go to the public library and check out DVDs.

With my top tier bandwidth internet and 6 subscription services I’m paying $7 less a month for 1/20th the available content than I would have with a full cable package. Take that Big Cable!

 

[Rogifan]

I still don't get why Apple thinks it needs to spend $60B on an old media company. If they think they have to buy their way into streaming then make an offer for Netflix.

 

[Michael CM1]

Apple,

Please buy Sony Entertainment and fix their abhorrent Super Hero movies they've been coming out lately. Yes, I'm looking at you Superman v. Batman!

I haven't yet seen someone hate it so much that they thought Sony somehow had something to do with it when Warner Bros. owns DC. That's a new one.

FWIW Sony owns the rights to Spider-Man movies.

 

[NachoGrande]

That would have been pretty awesome.. Maybe it would be a pleasant experience for once...

 

[hybroid]

Bring back FUTURAMA!

 

[2457282]

I can see it now...

Eddy: "Tim, I think we should buy Time Warner---we could do some great, innovative breakthroughs in technology if we do so."

Tim: "What, take a risk? Nah, we can't do that."

I think quite the opposite. I blame Eddie for much of the service problems at Apple. First was the ibook fiasco that got him into court and cost the company time and money in the losing battle. Then came Apple Music and the streaming service that got him into the court of Taylor and again cost Apple embarrassment and money.

I am glad that the deal never got off the ground. I think what is needed is for Apple to buy a small content provider -- it would be easier and cheaper. But once done they can start building up the infrastructure and force the industry to change.

But mostly nothing will happen until laws are passed that separate content from delivery. This was needed with Ma Bell to open up Telco's. This was needed with the power companies to open up the Power Grid. This is needed now to open up the internet and speeding up the cable monopoly.