Eddy Cue Says Apple 'Not Trying to Create TV Shows,' But Willing to Help Where Possible

[MacRumors]

Apple executive Eddy Cue, who oversees services like the iTunes Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, Siri, Maps, and iAd, sat down for a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the future of Apple TV, the company's relationship with Hollywood studios, and more.

When questioned about the original programming space, Cue said Apple is not in the business of trying to create TV shows, nor is it trying to compete with the likes of Netflix or Comcast. Instead, he said Apple may "help" producers, as it is doing for Planet of the Apps.

We're not in the business of trying to create TV shows. If we see it being complementary to the things we're doing at Apple Music or if we see it being something that's innovative on our platform, we may help them and guide them and make suggestions. But we're not trying to compete with Netflix or compete with Comcast.

Cue also downplayed rumors about Apple's interest in purchasing Time Warner, stating that the company is "not actively trying to buy any studio" right now.

In general, there's always a lot of speculation across many different companies, and some of that relates to the fact that we have a lot of money and so, therefore, we can afford to make acquisitions. So we have a lot of discussions with [Time Warner], but I don't want to speculate. We're not -- at this point, certainly -- actively trying to buy any studio.

Cue said Apple is only interested in entering the content space when the projects are tied to its existing products, which for now is Apple Music.

The rest of it is about giving [talent] a platform that allows them to be creative in new ways. If I was an agent, I would be very, very excited about what Apple is doing because it lets the people that I represent be able to do more.

Cue said he makes business trips to Los Angeles, where Apple has a growing team surrounding Apple Music and Beats, about five to six times per month. Apple's relationship with Hollywood, which began with Steve Jobs, is said to have "gotten better and better" over time as the industry warms up to Silicon Valley.

Yesterday, Apple posted an open casting call for its upcoming original TV show Planet of the Apps, an unscripted program about apps and the people who make them. The series will be spearheaded by executive producers will.i.am, Ben Silverman, and Howard Owens, with filming to take place in Los Angeles in late 2016 and early 2017.

Article Link: Eddy Cue Says Apple 'Not Trying to Create TV Shows,' But Willing to Help Where Possible

 

[kingofwale]

"
Eddy Cue Says Apple 'Not Trying to Create TV Shows,'"

well, it's not like you are trying to create a competitive phone either... so what are you doing?

 

[jlasoon]

Is Eddy even trying to create anything these days?

 

[pat500000]

That pic of Eddie.......

 

[ARB4]

Solid strategy (for the time being, at least). Let the major players in that space do what they do best, and focus on Apple being the premiere platform for distribution and consumption.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Find it interesting he mentions this:

"and some of that relates to the fact that we have a lot of money"

Apple execs have been circumspect about how they discuss the company's wealth.

 

[robotica]

Is it just me or is this not exactly the area that I'd like to see Apple get more involved with, creating there own tv shows and movies.

 

[musika]

So basically... They're not trying to "create" TV shows, they're just creating a couple of TV shows...

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Poor eddy just cant win.

 

[meaning-matters]

Seems he spends 25% of his time in Hollywood.

 

[TurboPGT!]

Find it interesting he mentions this:

"and some of that relates to the fact that we have a lot of money"

Apple execs have been circumspect about how they discuss the company's wealth.

There is nothing circumspect about the fact that Apple has a lot of money.

And that's not even really him saying "we have a lot of money." That's him saying "A lot of this is based on the impression that we have a lot of money."

 

[Dilster3k]

Ohhh Eddy, you need to go.

 

[pat500000]

Find it interesting he mentions this:

"and some of that relates to the fact that we have a lot of money"

Apple execs have been circumspect about how they discuss the company's wealth.

That's just speculation.

 

[heeloliver]

Thank god.

 

[rdlink]

Ohhh Eddy, you need to go.

I'm so glad that the world is full of people who know how to evaluate talent so much better than those who are hired to run the richest company in the world.

 

[MH01]

Does he actually have a Daily job ? Seems he has turned into a professional smoosher... Going to too many lunches by the look of it

 

[twocents]

While the whole "Steve wouldn't" thing has gotten old, it's fun to think about if Tim said "no" more often than "yes" these days

 

[Pakaku]

So basically... They're not trying to "create" TV shows, they're just creating a couple of TV shows...

They're known for their advertisements, and "Planet of the apps" is definitely an advertisement in spirit. And of course, advertisements are very "complementary to the things they're doing"

 

[djcerla]

Cue the Cue haters.

 

[bdkennedy1]

Planet of the Apps sure is not trying.

 

[dixido]

"
Eddy Cue Says Apple 'Not Trying to Create TV Shows,'"

well, it's not like you are trying to create a competitive phone either... so what are you doing?

Watchbands

 

[69650]

I'm so glad that the world is full of people who know how to evaluate talent so much better than those who are hired to run the richest company in the world.

He has been responsible for some of Apple's worst products for years and things aren't getting any better.

If you think he is the right man for the job, I think you are in a minority.

 

[Rogifan]

He has been responsible for some of Apple's worst products for years and things aren't getting any better.

If you think he is the right man for the job, I think you are in a minority.

iCloud should be given to someone else. Perhaps if he could focus 100% on iTunes, Music and TV they would get better.

 

[2010mini]

Apple is right to be cautious with Hollywood. Hollywood right now does not trust Silicon Valley completely. They have seen what happened to the music industry and they will fight to the last man to avoid that. What Apple seems to be doing is showing them that they can be an asset to Hollywood. A platform for talent to distribute content.

I think though that they should purchase Time Warner Inc. It would give them a lot more bargaining power with content distributors (cable/satellite) as well as other content owners.

 

[nazaar]

yes.... please stick to software and electronics. Especially software, it's been lacking and needs works.