Four More TV Execs Join Apple's Video Content Team

[Nuvi]

Here´s my problem with Apple getting into the content making:

Today's Apple is too vanilla, they would never make anything controversial or not light-hearted. They are too concerned about their image and trying to please all kinds of groups. And to make artful, meaningful content, you usually can´t have that. Can you see Apple producing movies or tv-shows with violence, nudity, drugs, or even strong language? I sure can´t :/

You have an excellent point there. Apple as a brand is very neutral and lacks the required edge when in comes to movin image. Planet of Apps and Carpool Karaoke are good examples of content which many find very uninspiring, missing that original perspective in narrative and even lacking in production value.

In order to make meaningful contribution in original content creation Apple needs to either acquire well established media company (Warner already gone unfortunately) or establish a subsidiary and hunt for all that talent (which will be slow and not easy).

 

[9081094]

I'll be excited when they put out some good content, so far Apple original stuff has been painful at best.

I think Apple is very late to the party and letting it slip a few years ago. Also they gave room to the competition by making the new Apple TV the most expensive. Over here we've a saying: 'seed before you can harvest'. It looks to me Apple is harvesting before seeding. If they want to grow their services... they should keep the prices of the hardware compelling.

 

[Rogifan]

https://www.aboveavalon.com/notes/2016/10/20/apples-trojan-horse-into-hollywood

The gist is it is that having your own original video content will become an integral part of any ecosystem. The article I linked above goes into it in greater detail.

I suspect this is why Siri was recently taken from Eddy Cue's portfolio and given to Craig. It's not meant to be a demotion or an admission that he's doing a bad job with it. Instead, Tim Cook intends to free up Eddy so he can focus on Apple's upcoming video streaming efforts.

In short, Eddy is being groomed for even greater responsibilities, and he will go on to play an even greater role at Apple, not less.

And what experience does Eddy have with original content or managing teams producing original content? We’ve heard next to nothing about Planet of the Apps or Carpool Karaoke as far as how many people are viewing this content or if it’s increasing Apple Music subscriptions. I think throwing billions at this is a bad idea. I’m not convinced people want to spend money on all these different ecosystems to get content. And I’m certainly not convinced if they do choose to spend money they’re going to do it with Apple.

 

[69Mustang]

IMO Apple could do well in this arena. However they may need to formulate a bit of a shopping list along the lines of:-

Netflix (valuation today of c$78Bn - so say $100Bn to acquire)
Disney (valuation today of c$165Bn - so say $200Bn to acquire)
Time Warner/HBO (valuation today of c$77Bn - so say $100Bn to acquire)​

So c$400Bn to acquire three major players and current Apple cash reserves of c$250Bn. A lot of debt might be required, but these things are often leveraged on stock issues/swaps so maybe not?

Ooh, this is quite amusing http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/05/03/8-things-apple-could-do-250bn-cash-pile/

Just no. Please, just no. These ideas that Apple should just buy X need to die. If Apple buys any of the companies you mentioned what would be the benefit? Those companies are valuable and viable because of ubiquity - access anywhere, any time, on any device. Buying any of those companies and letting them continue to operate as is doesn't benefit Apple. Apple's goal is to drive people to their devices and services. Restricting content from those companies to Apple devices doesn't benefit Apple. It simply cuts off the majority of their potential audience. Most importantly, all of those companies - that entire industry - are low margin propositions. Say goodbye to those beautiful +35% margins.

 

[Abazigal]

And what experience does Eddy have with original content or managing teams producing original content? We’ve heard next to nothing about Planet of the Apps or Carpool Karaoke as far as how many people are viewing this content or if it’s increasing Apple Music subscriptions. I think throwing billions at this is a bad idea. I’m not convinced people want to spend money on all these different ecosystems to get content. And I’m certainly not convinced if they do choose to spend money they’re going to do it with Apple.

Well, for one, Eddy Cue would have more experience than any of the other alternatives at Apple (Jeff Williams - oversees Apple Watch and health initiatives, Phil Schiller - oversees app store and marketing). I count these three as Tim Cook's right-hand men (note that I didn't even mention Craig. I understand he's immensely popular around here, but he doesn't rank that high up Apple's hierarchy. Yet.)

I won't daresay Eddy Cue is the best man for the job, but like it or not, he's the best Apple's got. My guess is that Eddy will be charged with forming an entertainment subscription service consisting of both music and video to add value to the Apple ecosystem (something few other companies can offer). This will in turn require its own entertainment division (consistent with recent rumours along this line).

This will be a massive undertaking, and I won't be surprised if Tim Cook continues to offload him of more of his existing portfolio (maps, iCloud) in order to free him up for this. It shouldn't be seen as a demotion.

 

[Cole Slaw]

Cant see anything they'd produce being any good.
It would have to be so politically correct and sanitized that I think it would be bland and boring.
Tim should stick to what he knows best; iPhones and limousine liberal politics.

 

[Pilgrim1099]

Here´s my problem with Apple getting into the content making:

Today's Apple is too vanilla, they would never make anything controversial or not light-hearted. They are too concerned about their image and trying to please all kinds of groups. And to make artful, meaningful content, you usually can´t have that. Can you see Apple producing movies or tv-shows with violence, nudity, drugs, or even strong language? I sure can´t :/

That's one of the biggest problems with Apple these days. The irony is that when they want to make their own 'vanilla' content to keep it 'family friendly', they contradict themselves by renting or selling R-rated film or music content on iTunes.

Having a white background with spit shiny Apple logo creates a psychological effect to consumers that they're "god-like" in a religio-corporate aspect. What's shiny on surface is also rotten underneath. It's a mask they wear. It's like being a kid in high school losing popularity, flailing around trying to please everyone.

And as for them being too vanilla, that all starts at the top and that's Tim Cook. Whatever he does or says has an effect on the company. They have to follow the lead. It's like the captain is responsible for the entire ship's well being and they have to follow his orders as long they're reasonable and within the mission parameters, without putting the crew in harm's way.

As for controversial, look no further to the missing headphone jack. That's bad controversy for them which shows sheer stupidity on their part.

 

[D-Dave]

I think this will go the way of the Apple Car....Apple will eventually realize they are in way over their head in an area they have no expertise in and will shutter the money pit.

I hope you're right...on the other hand apple can be realy stubborn. Carplay for example still locks you with apples own (at least in europe, mega crappy) maps instead of opening up to all those far superiour solutions out there in the app-store...

P.S. Hiring TV-Execs to revolutionise TV, or at least make it a better experience seems to me like hiring oil-tycoons to push forward alternative fuel concepts....

 

[Pilgrim1099]

Remember back when we mostly had hardware and software rumors on this site? I remember people used to complain when iPhone came out that there were too many iPhone stories and not enough Mac stories. Little did they know how much more things would change in the future. At least the iPhone is a type of computer. Now we're subjected to entertainment news, political news, car news, and more. I'm not blaming MacRumors—I'm blaming Apple. What is the goal of this? Does Apple making movies improve people's lives any more than WB or Netflix making movies? Apple often says they enter new markets when it makes sense and they can add something to it. What are they adding? How does this enrich consumer experience? Why does Apple need to be in this space right now?

You nailed it. I think Apple is desperate and it shows, no matter how rosy they claim things are in their headquarters. They had iTunes and it was perfect until Apple Music screwed it all up. Then they have Apple TV with the attempt to compete against Roku and other box streamers until Netflix started kicking ass with their own content. That's where Apple began to crap in their pants, playing catch up, probably attempting to convert their set-top box into a service app.

But it makes no sense for them to make video or film content in Apple Music. That's not where it should be. Apple Music and movies/television shows do NOT mix for they have nothing to do with one another.

I think they're screwing around because they're "experimenting". You don't just experiment for the sake of 'getting it right'. And it's not considered learning on the job (that's for the interns or entry level positions ). You hire people to get the right content in without wasting time and effort. It doesn't add to the consumer experience at all.

I use a Roku TV built into my Sharp LED tv and it's awesome. It may not be as fast as Apple TV but it gets the job done and I can still use Netflix in it. Perfect. No need to run out and buy an Apple TV just for that. Apple is losing ground to Smart TVs that have streamers built-in which renders their streaming box concept pointless. That's the weak point right there and Apple made a huge mistake in not partnering with a tv manufacturer such as Sharp, Sony, or whomever.

But no. . .they want to do things their own way.

Apple needs to back off and focus on cleaning up Apple Music, pull Beats out of it into its own 24/7 radio station app, and fix iTunes into a less bloated version to what it used to be.

But no, Tim had to listen to Eddy Cueball, Jimmy "Screeching Owl" Iovine, and Dr. Dre on how to go about things on Apple Music and give it a greenlight.

 

[Nuvi]

P.S. Hiring TV-Execs to revolutionise TV, or at least make it a better experience seems to me like hiring oil-tycoons to push forward alternative fuel concepts....

They are hiring top media executives to build a media arm for Apple. They are not there to create or produce content themselves or build media distribution solutions. Who do you think they should be hiring if not media executives?

 

[nexesnex]

Outsiders was made by Sony for WGN...

Sony Pictures Television made Breaking Bad and Community and makes Better Call Saul, The Blacklist, Shark Tank, Preacher, Kevin Can Wait, The Crown, Transparent, The Tick, Outlander etc etc.

They're an enormous television studio. Probably the biggest that isn't owned by a Network.

Ahh! Got it. Thanks. For some reason I had it in my head they were a failing studio.

 

[Pilgrim1099]

Disney has survived for a century on a clean content formula.

I’m sure Apple would be fine. It’s not like AppleTV is a gated community where other content producers can’t be accessed. Let them provide that type of content.

Problem with that line of thinking is that Apple is NOT Disney and Disney is NOT Apple. They're not the same thing. Disney prospered because of its vision and mission statement. It stuck with what it knew how to do and that is to make excellent animated films. That's the core of their talents. They didn't flail around and play catch up like Apple. They bought Marvel comics and now owns Lucasfilm for the Star Wars content.

Entertainment is what Disney is known for. And they do it well, even if I don't agree with their decision to hold off Tron 3.

Apple, on the other hand, is known for hardware and software. But entertainment? Don't make me laugh. They did a nice job with iTunes in the early days until they screwed it all up with Apple Music and Beats.

And lastly, Disney has been around since 1923, long before Apple.
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IMO Apple could do well in this arena. However they may need to formulate a bit of a shopping list along the lines of:-

Netflix (valuation today of c$78Bn - so say $100Bn to acquire)
Disney (valuation today of c$165Bn - so say $200Bn to acquire)
Time Warner/HBO (valuation today of c$77Bn - so say $100Bn to acquire)​

So c$400Bn to acquire three major players and current Apple cash reserves of c$250Bn. A lot of debt might be required, but these things are often leveraged on stock issues/swaps so maybe not?

Ooh, this is quite amusing http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/05/03/8-things-apple-could-do-250bn-cash-pile/

Would never happen. I believe Apple did try to talk to Netflix about a partnership/buyout and got a 'no, thank you' from them. It was around when Cook was trying to build out Apple TV's services. As for Disney, all hell would break loose if that were to happen and most likely a huge backlash from the government and public. I don't think Disney would be that stupid to allow Apple to buy them out as there is no incentive to do it.

Would you trust Timmy the Tool over a Star Wars franchise via Disney? Or Time Warner/HBO would tell Apple to fly a kite. I think Time Warner/HBO would rather do things on their own instead of being under the Apple umbrella. There's no incentive for them to do it. Plus, if you think it would make good product placement for Apple in any of these three acquisitions, I can say it will lead to problems in legal ethics. I know it's not illegal but in terms of ethics, it's going to raise eyebrows and Congress/FTC will notice it.

I doubt any of these three companies would want to be used for product placement for Apple.

 

[Rogifan]

Well, for one, Eddy Cue would have more experience than any of the other alternatives at Apple (Jeff Williams - oversees Apple Watch and health initiatives, Phil Schiller - oversees app store and marketing). I count these three as Tim Cook's right-hand men (note that I didn't even mention Craig. I understand he's immensely popular around here, but he doesn't rank that high up Apple's hierarchy. Yet.)

I won't daresay Eddy Cue is the best man for the job, but like it or not, he's the best Apple's got. My guess is that Eddy will be charged with forming an entertainment subscription service consisting of both music and video to add value to the Apple ecosystem (something few other companies can offer). This will in turn require its own entertainment division (consistent with recent rumours along this line).

This will be a massive undertaking, and I won't be surprised if Tim Cook continues to offload him of more of his existing portfolio (maps, iCloud) in order to free him up for this. It shouldn't be seen as a demotion.

Still not in total agreement with Apple becoming Sony but if it means more software and backend services get offloaded to other execs that is a good thing.

 

[jjhny]

This is just great - this cross pollination with industry hacks is what turned "The Learning Channel", TLC, History Channel, Sci-FI (not SyFy) etc. into the soupy mess of channels with midget reality shows, and more bottom feeding dreck that literally destroyed those original speciality channels. (fun fact - they were hacks from NBC specifically)

The culture from Hollywood is just trash of the worst sort.

And by hiring more hacks, Apple can now produce even more of the exact same shows that no one wants to watch.

Genius.

 

[cjbryce]

Restricting content from those companies to Apple devices

Nowhere did I suggest that. That would be a very, very dumb thing for Apple to even consider never mind implement.
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Would you trust Timmy the Tool over a Star Wars franchise via Disney?

TBH the Star Wars franchise has never appealed to me anyway

However, the real point is that if Apple bought these content producers then they'd a) have content and b) would be extremely unlikely to change the business models in any significant way - they're all making money/doing rather well - why would Apple want to change that significantly?

As to product placement, yep I can see Jon Snow calling down dragon fire via his iPhone 9 Seriously, Sony managed it big time for years and years with the Bond franchise and Apple already do fairly well on that front anyway. I'm thinking of a much wider view than Apple getting into content production just for product placement - that makes no financial sense at all, as it'd be a bucketload cheaper just to pay the production studios for the product placement.

 

[69Mustang]

Nowhere did I suggest that. That would be a very, very dumb thing for Apple to even consider never mind implement.

There's nowhere in my comment that suggests you did. What you quoted out of context was part of my supporting evidence of my opinion that Apple buying any of those companies is a bad idea. It's not an implication against you in any way. As in, Apple wants content to drive people to Apple devices. The only way to drive people to Apple devices via that content is to restrict it to Apple devices. Otherwise, the status quo remains. If Apple buys the companies and keeps them operating the same way, there's no appreciable benefit to Apple and plenty of negatives for them.

 

[PoppaKap]

Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke.

 

[smaffei]

Here´s my problem with Apple getting into the content making:

Today's Apple is too vanilla, they would never make anything controversial or not light-hearted. They are too concerned about their image and trying to please all kinds of groups. And to make artful, meaningful content, you usually can´t have that. Can you see Apple producing movies or tv-shows with violence, nudity, drugs, or even strong language? I sure can´t :/

Apple, bring back "Agent Carter". Under appreciated show, good message, critics raved about it.

 

[macduke]

You nailed it. I think Apple is desperate and it shows, no matter how rosy they claim things are in their headquarters. They had iTunes and it was perfect until Apple Music screwed it all up. Then they have Apple TV with the attempt to compete against Roku and other box streamers until Netflix started kicking ass with their own content. That's where Apple began to crap in their pants, playing catch up, probably attempting to convert their set-top box into a service app.

But it makes no sense for them to make video or film content in Apple Music. That's not where it should be. Apple Music and movies/television shows do NOT mix for they have nothing to do with one another.

I think they're screwing around because they're "experimenting". You don't just experiment for the sake of 'getting it right'. And it's not considered learning on the job (that's for the interns or entry level positions ). You hire people to get the right content in without wasting time and effort. It doesn't add to the consumer experience at all.

I use a Roku TV built into my Sharp LED tv and it's awesome. It may not be as fast as Apple TV but it gets the job done and I can still use Netflix in it. Perfect. No need to run out and buy an Apple TV just for that. Apple is losing ground to Smart TVs that have streamers built-in which renders their streaming box concept pointless. That's the weak point right there and Apple made a huge mistake in not partnering with a tv manufacturer such as Sharp, Sony, or whomever.

But no. . .they want to do things their own way.

Apple needs to back off and focus on cleaning up Apple Music, pull Beats out of it into its own 24/7 radio station app, and fix iTunes into a less bloated version to what it used to be.

But no, Tim had to listen to Eddy Cueball, Jimmy "Screeching Owl" Iovine, and Dr. Dre on how to go about things on Apple Music and give it a greenlight.

The web has always been the great equalizer—especially today when it comes to standards replacing crap like flash (although net-neutrality changes could put that in jeopardy). Streaming boxes need to be more like the internet. More like a browser of HTML 5 video content that you can subscribe to for whatever fee. It's ridiculous that someone would need to buy multiple boxes to subscribe to different services. They really need to get their crap together because all of this stuff is not only consumer hostile but bad for the environment. Apple wants the lock-in. I think they're pissed that they couldn't get deals done with the major studios for their TV service and decided to just eat their lunch instead by making the shows. But can they pull it off? The other problem is there will always be a show on a competing service that people will want to watch. And I refuse to subscribe to 15 different services. It's completely ridiculous and no wonder people pirate shows. I just want Apple to make outstanding hardware that can access any piece of media content.

 

[betabeta]

I have a bad feeling about this...

But it can’t be that bad of an idea, I mean Sony Pictures only lost 700 million this year. Apple is building a movie studio and this is wrong in so many ways, it could be a black hole where money never returns. Sony pictures is a real mess, hope they pulled the diamonds from the rough who’s going to watch over this potential mess? Tim Cook?

Apple has a close relationship with Disney, but a merger would be nightmare, now a strategic partnership would work. Apple could offer Disney Billions and still end up making money keeping and gaining new users.

I get the feeling Apple will have no idea where the money is going or if it’s getting what it pays for. This kinda started with Apple car Project, money goes in and doesn’t come out, but ahh who cares, what’s another billion down the drain.

 

[ackmondual]

Here´s my problem with Apple getting into the content making:

Today's Apple is too vanilla, they would never make anything controversial or not light-hearted. They are too concerned about their image and trying to please all kinds of groups. And to make artful, meaningful content, you usually can´t have that. Can you see Apple producing movies or tv-shows with violence, nudity, drugs, or even strong language? I sure can´t :/

More often than not with watching TV shows, I look for the LSV "label"/rating...
Language
Sexual Content
Violence

It's no guarantee that a program will be good, but these days... it's a good start.

 

[dilbert99]

If Apple is to produce their own content it would be on Apple services only, make sense.

If people produce content, they want it to get out to as many people as possible.
This is one area where Apple is at a disadvantage unless the content is available on things other than Apple gear.