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Apple TV Gains New FXNOW Channel

wow... lots of tv-obessed people here. I, for one, don't own an Apple TV because of its TV content (even though I use Netflix and iTunes movies sometimes), I could not care less about any of these channels. I have an Apple TV because I listen to Radio, stream my iTunes music, stream my MacBook and iPhone screens, watch Youtube and Vimeo, and it's just great to share and discuss photos and videos with a group of friends. That's it.

ps. That said, it would be great if there was an option to hide all TV and US related channels with one click...
 
Mad Mac Maniac said:
Apple is big enough to push their weight around. I could imagine something similar to what Apple did with ebooks, where Apple held everyones hand. If all the major channels make the choice together, there's not really a whole lot cable can do to punish them all. Of course there were legal issues with ebooks, so I'm not sure if those implications would exist for tv channels.
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You think? ebooks didn't really cut out the middle man (publishers), just changed the delivery format. In regards to TV, the ideal scenario for consumers would be to cut out the middle man. Apple will have to throw around a lot of money to get networks to break/not renew contracts with cable companies.. And it's an "all in" situation for content providers, as cable companies have a history of punishing them if contracts are not exactly favorable.

One thing I could see have cable companies create "apps" for the ATV, Roku, etc.. That way, there will be no need for a cable set top box, as a real smart tv would have all the hardware needed. That way, cable companies could bundle their channels and distribute via an app that is based on a subscription. That, however, would only make their profits larger (they will not pass the hardware savings to consumers).

Alas there is no incentive for cable companies to do this, as they would simply give up control. That set top box they give you is control, and giving it up is "life or death" for their business model. I don't see any scenario that would benefit cable companies and motivate them to change their distribution.. And networks... well.. they are simply too reliant on them.
 
This is good progress.

FX is worth having on demand like this. I think what Apple is doing, is getting all the major players on board like they are doing with required cable subscriptions, then say WE Apple are now a cable provider and offer channels individually and pay with your apple id; pay a ad fee to have them removed. This is most likely what is going on. :apple:
 
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I'm more than a little surprised that DirecTV isn't one of the participating providers, at least yet.
 
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TonyPaco said:
Yes. Small (relatively speaking) monthly fee.

I pay $120/month for U-Verse right now. It will go up to $160 in January cuz, you know, introductory deal boooolchit.

And I will sign whatever you want me to sign, in my own blood, that would lock me in to a contract for $30/month just to have all the ESPN channels on the AppleTV. Literally, ESPN is the only reason why I will probably end up staying bound by the cable far longer than I want to.
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You do realize you are asking ESPN to basically give you those channels at a loss at $30 right?

EACH programme on those channels costs $$$$ to produce. It can literally cost $1M minimum to bring ONE show to your TV. And you want ALL of their Channels with multiple shows for $30????

The current TV model makes it possible for you to get a channel on the ATV for no extra charge.

I'll say it again....

a la carte is not happening. Not unless you can guarantee the content owners and creators will make the same or more money.
 
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MacRumors said:
Like many cable-based channels on the Apple TV, much of the FXNOW content require cable authentication. Supported cable providers for the FXNOW channel include AT&T, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, and Time-Warner.
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... which means I'll be hiding that channel immediately. Until these networks start working outside cable package deals, they're just an enhanced Tivo.
 
euvnairb said:
I'm not sure why so many cable subscribers are complaining that they can simply watch these channels via their cable boxes. I think the point of these ATV channels is their On-Demand functionality. I have a couple shows that i would like to watch and sometimes I don't have time to watch when they air, so this is perfect for me as I don't have a DVR either. I'll take what I can get.
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In my case I have a slow dsl connection. Id love a faster connection, but not going to pay for a comcast bundle. Its easier to just watch a show on on-demand than it is to stream it via the atv.

I'd love the choice of like 3 or 4 internet carriers, then cutting the chord might be worth it. Right now comcast is a monopoly that holds all the cards.
 
diego said:
wow... lots of tv-obessed people here. I, for one, don't own an Apple TV because of its TV content (even though I use Netflix and iTunes movies sometimes), I could not care less about any of these channels. I have an Apple TV because I listen to Radio, stream my iTunes music, stream my MacBook and iPhone screens, watch Youtube and Vimeo, and it's just great to share and discuss photos and videos with a group of friends. That's it.

ps. That said, it would be great if there was an option to hide all TV and US related channels with one click...
Click to expand...
that's basically what I do with mine too. mostly video and audio streaming from my itunes library, photostream and youtube. I enjoy my ATV for what it is but there is lots of room for improvement even if they keep basic functionality as is. The UI is really antiquated. searching for anything in any app is terrible and is on par with searching on my Rogers cable box, the UI for which hasn't changed since the 90s as far as I can tell.
rearranging channels as you want is impossible. hiding/unhiding them is cumbersome. unified content discovery doesn't exist at all. it would sure be nice to have it now but if they do plan on turning ATV into a cable TV competitor it is a must. perhaps they are saving all these things for the new product whatever it turns out to be.
 
Lancetx said:
You guys realize that it's the networks & providers that require the cable subscription in order to access these apps and not Apple right?? :rolleyes:
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I don't have cable, but my parents do. Is there a way to use their login?

And don't some of you act like you weren't wondering this too. :p
 
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of "channels" being offered. Hoping that Apple has a plan to categorize and bin the channels. Right now, I can't stand the idea of spending time to go through and cull out what's useful to me and what's not; what I have full access to and what I don't. Other than Apple's own offerings, I go to Netflix or Hulu. That's it.
 
terrymr said:
Why bother ?

I don't understand the point of a channel being on the Apple TV if I need to get a cable subscription to watch it. Why not offer a subscription through the itunes store ?
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Because I can bring my Apple TV anywhere and watch shows as if I had my Cable box back at home...
 
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Unless they are cutting out the cable companies. Not interested. Only watch the ones that don't require it like PBS and History Channel.

MacRumors said:
[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


Apple today added the FXNOW channel to the Apple TV, providing users with content from the FXNOW network. Previously rumored in July, the new FXNOW channel is the on-demand portion of the FX, FXX, and FXM television channels, all of which are owned by the Fox Entertainment Group.

Rumors suggested the FXNOW Apple TV channel would include content from The Simpsons, branded Simpsons World, which includes all 552 episodes of The Simpsons. Early reports on the channel suggested users would be able to create playlists of episodes and share favorite scenes. Currently, however, the channel offers a variety of content from FX, including episodes of The Strain and Sons of Anarchy.

Like many cable-based channels on the Apple TV, much of the FXNOW content require cable authentication. Supported cable providers for the FXNOW channel include AT&T, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, and Time-Warner.

Article Link: Apple TV Gains New FXNOW Channel
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aprofetto8 said:
I'm convinced this is what Jobs meant when he said he had finally cracked the TV.

Let people still go through their cable providers like usual, but allow them to watch their content on the Apple TV by way of apps.

Cable providers still get their customers, and customers can watch their paid for content on the Apple TV.
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Nah, because it's still impossible to find anything, unless you already know it's there. It's pretty clear that solving that problem was at least part of what Jobs meant.

I have suspected all along that Jobs' TV Statement is sort of like Fermat's Last Theorem.

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Justin33 said:
I don't have cable, but my parents do. Is there a way to use their login?

And don't some of you act like you weren't wondering this too. :p
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Yes, you will have to ask them if they trust you enough to let you use their account information.
 
iMacRW said:
Can you login if you are a Dish Network subscriber? I am finding that if you are a Dish subscriber, many of the channels you can't login even if you are a subscriber. Very disappointing.
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Try an HDMI cable. Probably just as good.
 
Nice addition to Apple TV, between the few channels added in the past few months, and Netflix, I am hardly ever on the Fios set top box.

Mad Mac Maniac said:
Here's hoping Apple is building their inventory to eventually flip the switch where no cable subscription is needed.

I want a small monthly fee per channel with NO ADS! Netflix can do it.
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With fee per channel I would cancel my Fios TV tomorrow, but I doubt this will ever happen without ads.
 
oh.... The Simpsons.


Lucky i have all episodes most episodes on Mac Mini :) without a cable subscription.

oh well, another one i'll Hide in the GUI .... This things are popping up like flies
 
ChrisCW11 said:
Apple should simply stop selling Apple TV outside the US because it is actually a dismal product when used elsewhere.

Apple when you are ready to take this product out of hobby status and support major markets outside of the US, let the rest of us know.
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"This channel is not available in Your country" ... if I had a nickel for everytime I saw that ,I would have about ten.

I have FX , FOX , Discovery, History, All three Disney channels, all in Serbia on my cable subscription , yet I can't watch them on my ATV .

I don't have ABC, CNBC, Bloomberg, Sky, Smithsonian, yet I can watch them on my Apple TV.

Oh, the irony !!
 
ya, it doesn't make sense.

The simple times are gone.

And studios are dead set against piracy.. Well, this is why I choose to do what i do. Only problem is, everyone wants the latest stuff when others have it.
 
terrymr said:
Why bother ?

I don't understand the point of a channel being on the Apple TV if I need to get a cable subscription to watch it. Why not offer a subscription through the itunes store ?
Click to expand...

yea they just don't get it or theyre clinging on and someone needs to pry their fingers loose one by one until they .... :D
 
Apple TV IS usefull outside the US!!

My wife & I live in Germany, but English is our first language. We have a USA & a German iTunes account. We rent Movies, buy TV series, & stream music, talking Books, NFL Games & BBC iPlayer content from our Computers or iPads to our TV & primary sound system in the living room.
Most of these additional channels are useless to us, but the ATV itself is priceless for all these core abilities
 
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