Apple Reportedly Exploring Producing Original TV Shows

[rocknblogger]

I worry about Apple being stretched to thin and having too many irons in the fire. We've got the Watch now; who knows how that will evolve and where else Apple will go in the wearables space and what the future is for ResearchKit. We don't know what Apple's plans in the home automation space are. Apple Music is still far from great. Siri could be so much better, same with Apple Maps. Apple has made lots of changes to iOS and OS X over the last 3 years that require more polish. We have Apple making a big push in the enterprise. There are rumors about an iPad "Pro" and of course the Apple car rumors. I think Apple has a full plate right now and I worry they're trying to take on too much and the user experience suffers because of it.

Sometimes I see Apple as a child. A child gets excited about something new and shiny but as soon as the next shiny thing appears they lose interest in the first shiny thing. So it is with Apple sometimes. They introduce something new and wonderful then move on to the next new and wonderful thing leaving the other thing to fade and be neglected; Siri, iCloud (in general), car play, iCloud photos, music match among other things. None of these things are polished. They all need attention and refining.

 

[jrlcopy]

Luckily apple doesn't force the people that make its ads to use FCPX so this could work out to be good.

 

[Takeo]

All scenes will be shot on a white background.

 

[Hastings101]

Perfect, maybe they can make an annual Steve Jobs movie and turn it into a genre

 

[BornAgainMac]

Craig Federighi comedy hour would be a good show.

 

[wigby]

I agree that Apple needs to fix a few things.

But there are writers and directors who will be making content that will end up somewhere... be it Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc.

So why not on Apple's platform?

It's not like Apple executives will be literally producing these shows... i.e holding cameras and positioning lights

Apple will write a check and a production company will make them. They will simply premiere on Apple first.

I don't think it will work that way or even should. Apple is not known for writing fat checks and letting someone else steer the ship. They will want control and influence every aspect of production. Otherwise, why bother watching an Apple original, right?

 

[AnthonyCM]

Really a good idea. Look at Netflix stock after they did this. I would really love for them to get in the TV game, both producing and content delivery. Everything is there for them, they just need to get it together.

Awful idea. At least for the consumers. But it's our fault, right? We wanted to "cut the cord". Now what? $8+ for Netflix, $100 a year for Amazon Instant Video, whatever it is Hulu charges, $40 (rumored) a month for a limited number of channels on Apple's (rumored) cable replacement. How much more might it be for exclusive Apple produced content? On top of that, your kidding yourselves if you think the cable companies are just going to lose revenue. Welcome to ever higher Internet charges to make up for their cable revenue losses.

 

[dannyyankou]

That's so weird, I literally just thought about this last night.

 

[tevion5]

Apple is getting into everything these days. Do you all think they appear to have a solid game plan or are they just throwing things against the wall and seeing what sticks?

Military, music, automobiles, wearables, home automation...

Yes, I totally agree! I mean...*Spits out coffee*...Sorry what was that first one?!

 

[Michael Scrip]

I don't think it will work that way or even should. Apple is not known for writing fat checks and letting someone else steer the ship. They will want control and influence every aspect of production. Otherwise, why bother watching an Apple original, right?

It depends on how involved Apple wants to be.

Netflix doesn't really "make" House of Cards... they just distribute it.

Someone else writes and directs it... and then production companies film, edit and deliver the show to Netflix.

Are we thinking Apple wants to be in the writing, directing, casting and physical production game?

Or does Apple just want to buy or license original content?

 

[npmacuser5]

I am all for competition. The consumer votes with their payments. This sounds like a good opportunity for us consumers and if Apple benefits all the better. Go for it Apple!

 

[KanosWRX]

Ugg, not another one... I guess it was to hopeful to think the internet would make watching content easier. now everyone and their mom will want to make shows and you will have to pay 10 dollars here, 10 dollars there, adding up to 40-50 dollars eventually and we will be no better off then we are now with cable tv End EXCLUSIVES!!! Just stop already!!! I am only paying for one service ever, so make up you mind where you want to put you content studio's.

 

[76ShovelHead]

I often wonder if they even deploy their own hardware/software solutions (os x server) in their retail and corporate environment. I could understand if they used BSD/Linux for hosting iCloud, but its been a long time since they discontinued the xserve. Windows has a much bigger marketshare in enterprise (and it would be unforgivable if Apple was using Microsoft for their backbone lol). Hopefully the recent partnership with IBM will eventually shake things up in this sector.. That said, if they were to start producing original programs specific to AppleTV I wonder what benefits could come of their professional video/multimedia editing programs.

 

[Designx]

Apple will just blow up just like in the 90's with too much crap and they'll need to get a former axed employee to come get them back on track focusing on computers and maybe the iPhone.

 

[macfoxpro]

I agree that Apple needs to fix a few things.

But there are writers and directors who will be making content that will end up somewhere... be it Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc.

So why not on Apple's platform?

It's not like Apple executives will be literally producing these shows... i.e holding cameras and positioning lights

Apple will write a check and a production company will make them. They will simply premiere on Apple first.

Is that all Apple should and should not be doing?

 

[sir1963nz]

Don't need a channel to do that, they can already sell it through iTunes.

Netflix has us paying them while we work through a whole back catalogue of TV which we can binge watch.

No longer interested in Ads
No longer interested in next episode next week.
No longer interested in watching when they choose.

TV is dead, media consumption is the future.

And as for the ratings crap that sees good shows killed.....

 

[praetorian909]

Space grey is the new black

 

[76ShovelHead]

Apple will just blow up just like in the 90's with too much crap and they'll need to get a former axed employee to come get them back on track focusing on computers and maybe the iPhone.

Que Scott Forstall... Haha I've actually thought the same thing.

 

[StyxMaker]

Why would Netflix or Hulu or any other content company not want their content on the most popular platform? But once Apple starts getting into competition with them who knows what they'll do.

I remember when HBO announced they were going to be making original content for their cable channel. Heard a lot of talking heads predicting that HBO, once they were competing with the big studios would loose access to all big movies. I could be wrong but I think HBO is still in business.

 

[iBighouse]

"Dirty Jobs"?

 

[jdillings]

Actually, I think Apple could be very successful in this space. Netflix has all but given up on the prestige TV shows and is now becoming the Walmart of streaming with the Adam Sandler movies and Full House reboot. Apple could counter that with high quality, original, artsy TV shows that Apple consumers would eat up.

Also, Apple could launch an offensive on Netflix's diminishing streaming library. Netflix didn't renew it's Epix contract and yet another streamageddon is coming soon. Netflix has said they aren't interested in licensing movies any more and want to focus on original movies (like the aforementioned Adam Sandler movies). Netflix's current brain trust believes more people want to watch an original Adam Sandler movie than The Hunger Games?! This creates the perfect opening for Apple. Apple already has a huge library digitized and ready to go. They would need to just need to work on the licensing.

 

[uid15]

"Apple cannot fail! Apple cannot fail! Apple cannot fail!"

</sarcasm>

 

[Sonmi451]

Awful idea. At least for the consumers. But it's our fault, right? We wanted to "cut the cord". Now what? $8+ for Netflix, $100 a year for Amazon Instant Video, whatever it is Hulu charges, $40 (rumored) a month for a limited number of channels on Apple's (rumored) cable replacement. How much more might it be for exclusive Apple produced content? On top of that, your kidding yourselves if you think the cable companies are just going to lose revenue. Welcome to ever higher Internet charges to make up for their cable revenue losses.

I don't understand your beef. Netflix has some great original content. You don't have to buy it. Like it or not online content is growing and it's only a matter of time before cable is mirrored. I'm not sure about replaced but we'll see. Cable companies will have to figure out how to generate revenue, it's not Apple or Netflix job to save them.

 

[Sonmi451]

"Apple cannot fail! Apple cannot fail! Apple cannot fail!"

</sarcasm>

Apple is making more money than ever. Not sure the relevance of your post.

Apple will just blow up just like in the 90's with too much crap and they'll need to get a former axed employee to come get them back on track focusing on computers and maybe the iPhone.

That's your analysis? Actually maybe you do have a future being an analyst because that sounds like some of the nonsense I read sometimes.

 

[JPSaltzman]

Look, all we ask is that you fix OS X (you know, something akin to Snow Leopard). We don't need more lame TV shows (heaven knows there are enough on all 5430 channels available), but what we need is software and hardware that WORKS together….. you know, like the old days of Apple Computer, Inc.?