A&E, History Channel, and Lifetime Channels Added to Apple TV

[MacRumors]

Apple today has added new channels from A&E Networks to its Apple TV, including A&E, The History Channel and Lifetime. Select Apple TV owners will be able to watch episodes from popular TV shows such as Duck Dynasty, Storage Wars, and Project Runway.

These new channels on the Apple TV offer a preview to all users, but full content is only available to cable television subscribers. Currently, the service is available to customers who subscribe to DirecTV, Verizon FiOS, and Cablevision Optimum, with support for additional providers coming in the near future.

The addition of these channels is part of a larger push by A&E Networks to expand their content beyond broadcast TV. Earlier this month, the network updated both its A&E [iTunes Link] and History Channel apps [iTunes Link], letting iOS owners stream live episodes of popular shows to their iPhone or iPad. Similar to the Apple TV, this iOS-based live streaming requires a valid cable subscription.

Article Link: A&E, History Channel, and Lifetime Channels Added to Apple TV

 

[Davmeister]

Wow. I'm in the UK and its not too bad here, I'm just not sure how those US Apple TVs are managing to cope with the silly number of channels they have! Navigating must be a nightmare!

 

[0815]

It is really getting time for a new UI ... getting way to cluttered and not well integrated.

 

[Goldex]

Keep 'em coming, Apple! Next: Spotlight!!

[/sarcasm]

 

[simonb76]

When are we going to see Sky Go on an ATV?!

 

[iBlazed]

Men are terrible and WILL hurt you because this is Lifetime.

 

[Lord Hamsa]

Hopefully in before the "why do I need a cable subscription?" complaints.

The model is what it is, and will take time to alter. Putting the infrastructure in place to potentially allow ala carte programming is a good thing. Yes, for now, it's tied to your cable provider, but over time, it's possible that some or all may go with independent subscriptions, depending on contract terms with the cable/satellite companies.

That said, I will whine about Apple needing a proper "App Store" for ATV channels, and opening that up to 3rd-party developers if they really want to get this ball rolling.

 

[Traverse]

If they could only speed up the interface and navigation....

Although the iOS remote app does help. Whoever designed that tediously thin aluminum remote should be fired.

Still, the history channel can be quite interesting.

 

[taptic]

Lifetime: Because all men are bad and WILL hurt you.

I think the second part is unnecessary. Everybody already knows that.

 

[guzhogi]

I agree, an app store for the TV would be great. There are so many channels that I don't use.

One question though: I've never used one of these channels before. Do I have to enter my cable service for each one individually, or can I just go to Settings and put it in once? It would really help if I just had to enter my info once and it'll work for all channels.

 

[sfwalter]

Great so the 8 hours a week History channel isn't showing Pawn Stars I will still be able to get my Pawn Stars fix.

 

[slagathor001]

Why no Showtime Anywhere?

For the TV/movie apps I only really use Netflix, Hulu (on occasion), HBO GO and smithsonian sometimes. Would definitely use showtime anywhere if it was on the Apple TV!

 

[Boatboy24]

It is really getting time for a new UI ... getting way to cluttered and not well integrated.

Exactly.

Frankly, none of this matters to me as long as it requires a paid cable subscription.

 

[AppleHater]

Another step toward no cable tv and Internet tv instead.

 

[Hairllama]

Very little point to adding this clutter to the AppleTV when cable subscriptions are required, but a number of large cable providers are not on board. To me it seems like the point of being able to have the content on the AppleTV would be to get around having a cable subscription.

 

[theheadguy]

The icon reflections look tacky when overlayed with text.

 

[sputnikv]

if i had the cable subscription required to access this content, i more than likely wouldn't be using these apple tv channels. what a hindrance

 

[ChrisCW11]

Yay, more crap I can't watch

Apple turned a hobby into a joke, another front end to OLD Big-Telco's monopolistic overpriced subscription model, which I guess fits nicely in with Apple's greedy fascist tendencies.

I guess Cable lobbyists are way more powerful then Apple's ability to innovate and create a product that might allow use to cut the cord.

 

[crashzero]

Get AMC & Showtime (maybe FX?) and we're cooking

 

[tomimorillo]

There's no activation link for Xfinity customers on History! WTF???

 

[alent1234]

Apple turned a hobby into a joke, another front end to OLD Big-Telco's monopolistic overpriced subscription model, which I guess fits nicely in with Apple's greedy fascist tendencies.

I guess Cable lobbyists are way more powerful then Apple's ability to innovate and create a product that might allow use to cut the cord.

and how else are the shows supposed to be paid for?

a la carte is fine for people who watch one or two shows

 

[Yelmurc]

Crap more channels I'll need to remove.

 

[guzhogi]

Men are terrible and WILL hurt you because this is Lifetime.

Scientists have found a potential way to procreate without men:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1431489.stm

Old article, but still interesting.

 

[cheezehead]

Well, it's there... 1/2 baked. Missing the majority of providers and subscription-only. I'll take the History channel on my Roku, no subscription required for some shows and available the day after it airs.

 

[Rogifan]

It is really getting time for a new UI ... getting way to cluttered and not well integrated.

These new apps don't have that hideous faux glass look to them which is nice. But yes the UI does need an overhaul and I'll be disappointed if something isn't announced at WWDC.