If all that were true, then HBO, Showtime and CBS would not be able to offer subscriptions through their apps that don't require a cable/satellite subscription. Apple isn't "rebroadcasting" anything; the transmission rights all still reside with the network affiliates or other IP owners. For cable/satellite-only channels like ESPN or Discovery they could offer subscriptions through their streaming apps but since the corporation that own them also all own the cable companies, their vested interests lie in keeping as many of us as possible subscribed to cable. That's why the majority of streaming apps require a cable/satellite subscription authentication.
HBO, Showtime, Starz, CBS and others are able to do that because of specific negotiations they have in place.
Fun fact: the cable companies that everyone likes to take over the coals have been screwed by the content owners like we are. They sell you bundles because they are forced to. If XYZ cable company wants showtime from CBS. Well CBS gets to tell them... You have to take these other less popular channels as a package if you want Showtime.
They get sold big bundles and in turn sell us smaller bundles.
As I've said before: streaming apps have to be authenticated by a subscription before you can watch it either via cable or online. The networks cannot broadcast to you direct via Internet because it would be a breach of contract. UNLESS like HBO Now, they have the right to sell direct over the Internet.
The TV broadcasting industry is a complicated mess of who owns rights to what and when. And even though it's a mess, they are making tonnes of money. So unless you have a better solution that will make them equal or more.... No change will happen.
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Just seems antiquated to me. To me people should be able to pay for channels either individually or as a group. All these cable/satellite providers charging X dollars for a whole bunch of channels you'll never watch seems very outdated. Pay per channel seems to make much more sense. If I literally want one channel I should be able to pay for and get only that one channel.
In that scenario, a lot of channels would cease to exist because they would not be profitable. And that just might include channels you like. They way it works is... Revenue on channels you don't like help pay for content on channels you do like.
Oh by the way.... True cord cutting is already here today. If you truly want it do this:
Open iTunes and just subscribe to seasons of the show you want. Or pay for just for the episodes you want to see.
