New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Deals Already in Place for Apple to Launch Netflix Competitor?

Wednesday August 3, 2011 8:06 am PDT by Eric Slivka

Building on his earlier claims that Apple is preparing a subscription video streaming service to take on Netflix, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek today issued a new report claiming that Apple already has deals in place with the major video studios and TV networks to support such a service.
Apple might be ready to roll out its own video subscription service similar to Amazon and Netflix, Peter Misek at Jefferies reports in a note this morning.

Specifically, he says, "As part of Apple's roll-out of cloud video services (and eventually an iTV), we believe Apple has unannounced deals with all/most of the studios/TV networks that are similar to the subscription streaming deal between Amazon and CBS."
Apple earlier this week expanded its nascent iCloud service to include the re-downloading of purchased TV shows, including allowing Apple TV devices to stream the purchased content directly from the cloud. And with another claim today suggesting that Apple may finally be preparing to launch its "iTunes Replay" service that would fold the cloud-based TV show offerings in with a similar program for movies to support re-downloads and streaming, Apple appears to be making a significant push into bringing video to iCloud.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 12
Tags: Jefferies & Co., Peter Misek
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
[ 143 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
FriarNurgle
99 months ago
$10 or less for unlimited streaming of comparable Netflix content for all devices on your iTunes account or GTFO.
Rating: 35 Votes
Avatar
OmegaRed1723
99 months ago

$10 or less for unlimited streaming of comparable Netflix content for all devices on your iTunes account or GTFO.


This. Nobody wants to pay an Apple Tax on Magnum PI: Season 3.
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
Sky Blue
99 months ago
For years, I've wanted the ability to stream TV and Movies from the iTunes store, subscription style. Would sign up for this day 1.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
samcraig
99 months ago
I know I will get downvoted for this - but whatever Apple plans - I sincerely hope that entities like Hulu and Netflix can continue to thrive.

The thought that "all" media being controlled by one company - no matter WHAT company that is - is NOT good and downright scary.
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
ChristianVirtual
99 months ago
I want to see The Simpsons. But I'm sure it will be again regionalized ... Time that the studios accept that the world is small
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
maroontiger2k9
99 months ago

For years, I've wanted the ability to stream TV and Movies from the iTunes store, subscription style. Would sign up for this day 1.


this... as long as apple can make it affordable... they already charge $5 a pop for HD rentals..

what if apple launched their own cable company or bought a market leader?! :eek:... i think apple is trying to take over the cable television experience and blow Hulu out of the water by not only having the channels available with a better UI, but allowing you to watch seasons on demand instead of hand picked episodes from comcast/etc

apple is starting to really become dominant
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Donz0r
99 months ago

$10 or less for unlimited streaming of comparable Netflix content for all devices on your iTunes account or GTFO.


Meh, I have NETFLIX. I don't need another netflix - I need something BETTER!! Give me the ability to stream an extensive content selection of shows - give me the ability to drop my cable subscription and I'll gladly pay $30/month.

Apple has shown us over and over that they are apparently the only company that can come in and shake up an entire industry. Please Please PLEASE do this to the Cable/TV industry Apple. We need it!
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
alent1234
99 months ago

That's precisely why I don't think this story is true. Why would they add Netflix to the AppleTV when they knew this was in the near future? It doesn't make sense.

I think this is just more analyst BS.


how much apple TV's do you think they will sell with no netflix?
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
addicted44
99 months ago

That's precisely why I don't think this story is true. Why would they add Netflix to the AppleTV when they knew this was in the near future? It doesn't make sense.

I think this is just more analyst BS.


Huh? Netflix has been on Apple TV for YEARS. You think that they wouldn't have released the Apple TV with Netflix just because they might (remember there was no guarantee they would have got the agreements) have had a competitor a few years later?

And there is no reason for Apple to remove Netflix either. Like the rest of their content business, this is unlikely to generate much profits for Apple. I bet its largely designed so Apple can tweak such a service to support future products (like a real Apple TV) better.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
maroontiger2k9
99 months ago

But think about it, it does make sense. Apple wants 100% control over what is sold for their devices. They want a 100% closed, Apple owned and operated system. They want all of your money, not just some of it. And that is what their goal is and they are quickly moving in that direction. They will offer many service for a monthly or yearly fee. All software will be purchased thru the App store, etc, etc.



As many as they do now, maybe more. The Apple consumer is brainwashed to accept anything the company does, because they make pretty things and they just work. If it was any other company, the fanboys would have their panties in a bunch over this.



1. give me one good reason outside of personal hate toward apple, and style preferences... that you feel that investing(as a consumer) in apple is a bad idea?

2. i think that trolls have adopted a notion that "anything dominant is bad"... so if cheerios is the popular brand of cereal, we should reject it and buy off-brand "wheat hoops"... to show that we're not sheep..

in the end, apple has control of the 3rd party peripheral markets(around their devices), dominant control on phone, tablet, mp3 player and digital media distribution... and now cloud is a high priority...and all of their functionality is 1st party developed outside of appstore apps

sure if you're an apple customer, you're paying a bit more than the non-apple customers, but thats a choice we all make.. we're not forced to make it

you gotta admit that if you look elsewhere, you're going to have huge voids.. but maybe your pride will overcompensate for the inferior customer experience

customers want to stick to one brand on certain things... and because of that, companies have to keep delivering a high/competitive quality of service...LOOK AT BLACKBERRY... the "sheeps" have moved toward android and apple b/c RIM was too complacent over the last decade.. the same would happen to apple if they sat on cruise control..
Rating: 4 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]