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WSJ on Apple's Video Service: Starz, Showtime, and HBO to Cost $9.99 Per Month, Roku May Gain Apple TV App

Rob_2811 said:
Looks set to be the dullest Apple keynote of all time.
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The more reason to watch it - this could be a train reck or a home run - not much in between.

I think the Google TV is really good - live TV, original content and 6 simultaneous users and unlimited DVR - Apple should be copying that
 
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redfirebird08 said:
I'm not missing your point. I am telling you that Apple has had the same damn thing forever. You are acting like they copied someone else. In fact, HBO Now was exclusive to Apple TV back in 2015. Why do you seem to think people are not able to access that content through Apple right now? Hell, I re-subscribed to HBO through my iPhone several weeks ago. This is not a hard thing to do through Apple, right now...regardless of the "new" service.

Back to MY point. $10 per month for HBO does not make sense. That is a 33% discount over what people are currently paying for it through Apple and every other service that provides it. I suspect to get the $10 price, people have to also shell out $50 per month for Apple's other TV service.
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Apple isn’t going to announce a $50 a month TV service. They’re announcing an SVOD play. More Netflix/Hulu/Prime Video than Sling/Directv Now. And who knows if we’ll actually even be getting HBO at $10 a month. As of reports 2 days ago, Apple had come to terms with Showtime and Starz, but not HBO. Maybe that’s because Apple is insisting on $10 a month and HBO wouldn’t budge.
 
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JBaker122586 said:
Apple isn’t going to announce a $50 a month TV service. They’re announcing an SVOD play. More Netflix/Hulu/Prime Video than Sling/Directv Now. And who knows if we’ll actually even be getting HBO at $10 a month. As of reports 2 days ago, Apple had come to terms with Showtime and Starz, but not HBO. Maybe that’s because Apple is insisting on $10 a month and HBO wouldn’t budge.
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How much do you think they will charge for their version of Netflix? $10 per month?
 
The report claims Apple plans to charge a fee for its original content, despite some sources previously saying it would be free to Apple device owners.
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Did anyone really believe Apple would provide this for free to someone who just spent $1,099 on a new iPhone? There's always more money to be made when you're Tim Cook, and that's the sad truth when it comes to Apple these days.
Apple is said to be negotiating to bring its new TV app to multiple platforms, including Roku and smart TVs. This could refer to an expansion of the new iTunes movies and TV shows app coming to Samsung's latest smart TVs to other leading TV brands such as Sony and LG and to cheaper brands such as TCL and Sharp via Roku.
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So non-Apple smart TVs will gain iTunes 4K support before Apple's own 4K-capable computers. Why am I not surprised... :rolleyes:
 
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Roku is really pushing forward. I can see a day when Roku is the default media box in the marketplace, more known that Google Cast and Amazon's offerings, not to mention Apple TV.
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cardfan said:
I’m not sure why this warrants an event. Bundling the same old premium channels like hbo? Spending a billion on a few shows? Another failed attempt at a news app? This should be called the dumb and dumber event.
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I think the point is that you / we don't know, so it's premature to judge Apple BEFORE their event.

See you again Monday afternoon for your judgment calls.
[doublepost=1553497086][/doublepost]Hands up.... how many think this will be US-only at launch?

:eek:
 
Rogifan said:
And what does that have to do with running a multi billion dollar consumer electronics company?
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I’ve never understood why some are always pushing for Scott Forstall to come back to Apple to be CEO. I guess some are butthurt that Jobs chose Cook (and the board agreed). I’ve never heard Forstall express any interest in being the CEO of Apple, nor has he given any indication that he even thinks he’s qualified for the position.

Those who have a problem with Cook (for whatever the reason) really should take a little look at this chart before they give their hot take about who should be Apple’s CEO.


Apple Revenue (in billions)
AFCF04D1-382A-4321-A49C-E5ED64DEBCE1.jpeg
 
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coolfactor said:
Roku is really pushing forward. I can see a day when Roku is the default media box in the marketplace, more known that Google Cast and Amazon's offerings, not to mention Apple TV.
[doublepost=1553496912][/doublepost]

I think the point is that you / we don't know, so it's premature to judge Apple BEFORE their event.

See you again Monday afternoon for your judgment calls.
[doublepost=1553497086][/doublepost]Hands up.... how many think this will be US-only at launch?

:eek:
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Wave !!

Of course this will be US only, this event is a waste of time for people outside the US.

PS: Roku who ? The thing is only available in the US.
 
pentidoes said:
Oh good! Tim, I can help. This is for your next briefing:

The things that would benefit Apple would be:
- an optimized, less confusing GUI
- stable software
- great hardware (including for pros)

The things that would threaten Apple are:
- a portfolio that is too big to handle
- buggy software
- little innovation
- bad customer service

Love, an Apple Customer.
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tim(e) to move on !!!
All talk no action here - it only hurts if people take action and buy other stuff !!!
 
Count me as excited for this event. Looking forward to TV and News subscriptions.
 
Following Karl Lagerfeld ... if you start becoming a media company you have lost control of your life ... as a meaningful contributor to tech, haha
 
While it’s almost an impossibility, it’d be a nice surprise if Disney announces a new partnership with Apple, launching Disney Plus using this platform while making it accessible as part of Apple’s subscription plans.

But seeing how Disney’s been so frosty with Apple (can’t even support iTunes 4K), and lack of rumour, I doubt this will happen. But one can dream
 
If anything it provides a distraction from the iPhone blues for Apple. However it’s simply focusing attention on something they’re not very good at or all in on. And it won’t make a dent to help services revenue. Profit wise it’s a loser.

Who knows maybe there’s still demand for these so called premium channels that can’t even stream in 4K hdr. I understand game of thrones excitement. I’d rather buy it in 4K though. Even so it’s just Apple bundling.

The tv app was a mess. It got better but it’s still far from being great. Adding in more stuff doesn’t help imo especially 3rd party stuff. I’d rather see an iTunes only tv app and basics like auto play next. I can’t tell you how many times it errors out, plays wrong episode, etc. If I want Hulu for example I’d rather go to Hulu app. I don’t want it in apple’s app.

And that’s the thing. Apple should be looking to make their own stuff front and center. 4K hdr. Don’t dilute it with the likes of hbo. It took Netflix years to have cash to burn on original content. Apple doesn’t have that problem. They don’t need to push other channels or premiums.

A Netflix killer can’t be friendly. You can’t be partners as well as a competitor. You don’t integrate the competition into your hopefully unique app. You don’t see Netflix pushing hbo.
 
1. i thought apple only entered markets they could improve.. This doesn't seem like much of an improvement? Many TV providers, offers services with HBO and so on included - at least in denmark

2. Will this be US only? If so, how does this qualify for a world wide streaming keynote, when we have same the kind of product else where? *shrugs*
 
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plexdk said:
1. i thought apple only entered markets they could improve.. This doesn't seem like much of an improvement? Many TV providers, offers services with HBO and so on included - at least in denmark
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I dont think they do it just to improve. They also make defensive plays. Logic, Aperture, Final Cut etc.. are all defensive plays. Being a minority share of the market they cant afford for large vendors to not supply key content and software on the iOS/Mac platforms.

So they tend to make sure they have something for their customers where they dont have to go outside of Apple to use the product if they dont want to. It might seem a wild idea that Apple wouldn't attract the best stuff etc.. But they thought that in the 80's and 90's and it ended up with companies like Microsoft and Adobe nearly killing the Mac platform by not providing software.

So now they are paranoid.

For example, given that spat they have with Spotify, if Spotify decided to stop iOS users from using their app in order to force Apple to cut their 30% fee, Apple would be stuffed. To Spotify that is only 20% of the user base they supply to. But to Apple, that could be $1000 phone sale lost because one of their customers wants a streaming service.

So Apple Music provides the hedge against third party companies doing anything like that to them.
I expect that the news, media and tv shows play is partly about defending their customers in that way and also getting more of the services money at the same time.
 
It will be interesting to see what they announce, but count me as skeptical that Apple is developing the product they need to. At this point it's cheaper to just get cable than to try and subscribe to the Disney app, ESPN, Netflix, HBO, etc. in some combination.

HBO doesn't have $9.99/mo worth of content. I like a lot of their programming, but the value just isn't there. Netflix gives you a lot more bang for your buck. I don't think I'd even pay $9.99/mo for HBO, StarZ and Showtime combined.
 
My theory is that Apple service, being still thin on original content, will borrow titles from all premium networks, secure rights for certain key shows, and bundle it all in one service.

That's what Hulu/Netflix did for years, they still do, though Netflix is focusing more on its own catalog, and hulu is expanding its catalog but also offers add-ons that unlock the entire premium channel catalog
 
pentidoes said:
Oh good! Tim, I can help. This is for your next briefing:

The things that would benefit Apple would be:
- an optimized, less confusing GUI
- stable software
- great hardware (including for pros)

The things that would threaten Apple are:
- a portfolio that is too big to handle
- buggy software
- little innovation
- bad customer service

Love, an Apple Customer.
Click to expand...
Expect NO innovation at all from Tim "Me Too" Cook just a lot of products needing improvement and a lack of innovation.
 
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PickUrPoison said:
I’ve never understood why some are always pushing for Scott Forstall to come back to Apple to be CEO. I guess some are butthurt that Jobs chose Cook (and the board agreed). I’ve never heard Forstall express any interest in being the CEO of Apple, nor has he given any indication that he even thinks he’s qualified for the position.

Those who have a problem with Cook (for whatever the reason) really should take a little look at this chart before they give their hot take about who should be Apple’s CEO.


Apple Revenue (in billions)
View attachment 828162
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I’m conflicted. On the one hand revenue is not a good way to evaluate the culture of a company, but on the other hand that chart shows a steady decline in growth. As a fan I care about the passion that is missing and as a stockholder I care about increasing revenue year over year.
 
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