Apple’s talks with networks for its upcoming streaming TV cable service are well underway, according to the New York Post. The four main broadcast networks are involved: ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. Apple’s 30% revenue share of the subscription fee remains a point of contention, but the report claims that negotiations are rapidly gaining momentum with Apple targeting a late fall launch of its new TV product.
Disney or CBS will apparently be the first companies to sign up with Apple and get the skinny TV package deal rolling. Apple wants to have channels like Disney’s ESPN and Discovery in the mix too. Apple is also interested in getting local live TV as part of the package, as has been previously reported. According to the report, Apple has worked out a way to speed up the process so it doesn’t have to negotiate with every local affiliate network across the country itself.
“But networks don’t control affiliate feeds. So Apple CEO Tim Cook’s team asked the networks to obtain those rights — instead of having Apple chase those rights around the country itself. Now, it seems, Cook’s strategy is paying off, sources said. The networks are close to having the right to negotiate with Apple on behalf of their affiliates, the sources added.”
Apple is getting ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox to handle the minutiae of the rights deals with local broadcasters rather than Apple itself. The networks are close to having the ability to negotiate with Apple on behalf of the local affiliates. They are being notified by networks that they can opt in to Apple’s plans and share in the revenue of the Apple streaming service.
Cook and Cue were once again present at the Sun Valley conference last week. At the event, they were spotted chatting with the NFL commissioner which may indicate an NFL offering becoming part of the rumored Apple TV streaming service.
The new streaming bundle is expected to debut this fall alongside new Apple TV hardware, which will feature an App Store, more powerful internals and a revamped remote.
