Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Dr. Dre's 'Vital Signs' TV Show Will Be Used to Promote Apple Music

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,103
38,855



Last week, news hit suggesting Apple is in the middle of developing its first original television series, a show called Vital Signs starring Beats co-founder and Apple executive Dr. Dre. Described as a dark semi-autobiographical drama that's heavy on sex and violence, Vital Signs seemed like an odd choice for Apple's first foray into television.

As it turns out, Apple is planning to use Vital Signs as a way to promote Apple Music rather than as a serious move into the television arena. According to sources who spoke to Re/code's Peter Kafka, the show is part of an effort to create video content that's designed to "extend Apple Music."

drdre.jpg
So, again: Is Apple really getting into the TV business? Yes. But also, not really.

The real answer is more modest: Apple has already been financing video content it uses to market Apple Music -- "to extend Apple Music," in the words of an insider. And it's doing that with the Dre show. Full stop.

That's much less exciting than "Apple Is Getting Into TV," but it's more accurate.
Click to expand...
While Vital Signs is Apple's first TV show, there were rumors over the summer that the company had produced music videos in-house for several popular songs on Apple Music, including Drake's "Energy," Pharrell's "Freedom," and Eminem's "Phenomenal." Apple also partnered with Taylor Swift to produce her "1989 World Tour LIVE" concert film. Vital Signs appears to be a continuation of Apple's work on original music-oriented content to be shared on Apple Music.

Details on Vital Signs were published by The Hollywood Reporter last Friday, with Apple Music being mentioned at that time as a potential distribution platform. It remains unclear if Vital Signs will also be released via iTunes. The show is said to consist of a series of six 30-minute episodes that reflect at least in part on the life of Dr. Dre. Each episode is said to focus on a "different emotion" and the way Dre's character handles it.

Exclusive video content allows Apple to set itself apart from rival services like Spotify and Tidal, boosting subscriber numbers. Last week, iTunes chief Eddy Cue revealed Apple Music now has a total of 11 million subscribers. Apple reportedly plans to produce more video content for Apple Music, but doesn't have intentions to move into video-making on a larger scale.

Article Link: Dr. Dre's 'Vital Signs' TV Show Will Be Used to Promote Apple Music
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/02/15/vital-signs-apple-music-promotion/
Well I love having Apple music on board my gear. Not sure about a video series. I'd have a look at it if I could just watch it on my laptop or iPad, since I ditched my TV set years ago. I do think first of Netflix or film movement when I want to watch a TV series or a film.
 
gramtrax said:
and fix Apple TV itself first. Watching apple "original content" on the crap-tastic apple TV interface is as low as possible on my to do list.
Click to expand...

Worst thing about the new Apple TV is that useless USB-C port... should allow you to hook up an external drive to it and playback files natively without having to keep a whole computer running just to access local media.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sugarbear, tonyr6, ENduro and 12 others
MacRumors said:



Last week, news hit suggesting Apple is in the middle of developing its first original television series, a show called Vital Signs starring Beats co-founder and Apple executive Dr. Dre. Described as a dark semi-autobiographical drama that's heavy on sex and violence,
Click to expand...

Semi-Autobiographical? So we can expect misogyny and violence against women? Tim repeatedly lectures states and countries on the importance of civil rights but he has no problem associating himself and Apple with someone convicted multiple times of assaulting women and police officers?
 
  • Like
Reactions: VMMan, ENduro, JohnnyCanadian and 11 others
I don't mind Apple dipping their feet into this area, since it's one of the better things that Amazon has done in the last 2 years. I do want Apple to produce a couple of shows that are on par with the depth and quality of Amazon's fiction offerings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: orbital~debris
BJMRamage said:
Well, still not interested in Apple Music.
Click to expand...
Thanks for letting everyone know!
Over 10 million people are. Hopefully they don't all post here to let us know their preference!
[doublepost=1455584028][/doublepost]
gramtrax said:
and fix Apple TV itself first. Watching apple "original content" on the crap-tastic apple TV interface is as low as possible on my to do list.
Click to expand...

Do you have any ideas on what you want to see? Im just a simple man, but I think that the interface is nice and I enjoy using it. I couldnt think of any way to "fix" it, but I am really interested in hearing your view.
 
  • Like
Reactions: djjclark, pianophile, orbital~debris and 4 others
First of all, they should name this, "flat lined" because that's how it's going to be. Unless you're one of those hip hop fan, yeah...it wouldn't appeal much to them.

Second, again...they are exploiting Dr. Dre's name to get apple music promotion.....sad....

If this is going to be a subscription thing (which I believe it is), they can sub me out. I could listen to youtube or something. As a mac user and apple fan, I find this hard to digest...I rather sing and record on my phone and win me a grammy award.
There....whew.....that's my say and I'll leave Dr. Dre in peace.

UPDATE: By the way...about this episodic show....(I know dr. dre apologized in public)...but is this going be anything related to the incident with dee barne? "Hey doctor...her vital is gone!" "Damn! I gotta apologize to the public...oh by the way..don't forget to buy BEATS headphone."
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Benjamin Frost, attila, Lesser Evets and 7 others
lk400 said:
Thanks for letting everyone know!
Over 10 million people are. Hopefully they don't all post here to let us know their preference!
[doublepost=1455584028][/doublepost]

Do you have any ideas on what you want to see? Im just a simple man, but I think that the interface is nice and I enjoy using it. I couldnt think of any way to "fix" it, but I am really interested in hearing your view.
Click to expand...
Why not? He's a forum member and he can say whatever he wants (assuming it's within MR forum rules). He's just expressing his opinion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Benjamin Frost, BJMRamage, alvindarkness and 8 others
It should be interesting to see if it does boost subscriptions. Although, I have zero desire to see a "semi-autobiographical" series about Dr. Dre.

I actually enjoy my Apple Music subscription, but it seems like the resources used to produce this show could be spent better elsewhere. Oh well. At least I'm just enjoying these rumors lately. It feels like I'm reading a tabloid (on Apple's part - not MR).
 
  • Like
Reactions: pat500000 and Huck
zachlegomaniac said:
It should be interesting to see if it does boost subscriptions. Although, I have zero desire to see a "semi-autobiographical" series about Dr. Dre.

I actually enjoy my Apple Music subscription, but it seems like the resources used to produce this show could be spent better elsewhere. Oh well. At least I'm just enjoying these rumors lately. It feels like I'm reading a tabloid (on Apple's part - not MR).
Click to expand...

This is basically a marketing expense; so not sure what you means by resources better spent? Apple doesn't lack money, it probably lacks engineers though. That's why they're expanding their R&D abroad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: orbital~debris
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back