Apple TV Business Generated $1 Billion in 2013, Cook Says 'Difficult to Call It a Hobby'

During Apple's annual stockholders meeting in Cupertino today, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple sold more than $1 billion worth of its Apple TV set-top box in 2013, putting sales at close to 10 million units for the year.

This is a roughly double the 5 million it sold in fiscal 2012, which was double its Apple TV sales in 2011. Cook has traditionally called the Apple TV a "hobby", but said today that "it's a little more difficult to call it a hobby these days". Horace Dediu created a chart showing the impressive growth of Apple TV sales over the past several years, making it the fastest growing device in Apple's hardware lineup.

apple_tv_2012_interface
It has been repeatedly rumored that Apple is working on an improved set-top box and also a full-fledged television set. A new set-top box is expected to be introduced in the next couple of months, though it's unclear when the device itself would go on sale. A recent report said Apple would be introducing an SDK for Apple TV application development with an accompanying App Store launching to the public later in 2014.

Apple also launched a sale on the Apple TV at the company's online and retail outlets in the U.S., giving out a $25 iTunes Gift Card with purchase of the $99 device -- an unusual move for the company which only rarely offers sales on its devices.

Update 11:21AM: Re/code's Peter Kafka says the $1 billion number includes content sales on the Apple TV box, including movie rentals and TV show purchases.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

addictive Avatar
125 months ago
Something is coming soon

Would the CEO talk on the Apple TV and talk it up (a $1 billion business on it own) if it wasn't leading somewhere soon?

Most of us will be disappointed in whatever Apple releases as the next version because many Macrumours fans believe it to be a magic box full of potential. However, Apples hands are tied due to content restrictions and cable companies.

I'd like to see the Apple TV have a 32GB SSD and a router combined - I'd like it to be able to run iOS games and a UI overhaul. At WWDC I'd like the company to open up the Apple TV to developers. I can't think it there would be huge amounts of apps worth downloading like on the iPhone and iPad but I do think some developers could make some extraordinary apps.

The WWE channel is very much a sign of things to come in the future.

Clearly "content is king" remains the mantra for all of broadcasting.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
clcnyc Avatar
125 months ago
Omg

Enough already!!! Just release it!! I'm tired of getting c*ck-teased with these headlines, only to find it being another speculation or quote from an analyst!
I know...first world problems. :rolleyes:
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bpeeps Avatar
125 months ago
I am pretty much just dying for a real Apple TV at this point. I need somebody to slay Time Comcast.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brianvictor7 Avatar
125 months ago
I use my AppleTV almost as much as my iMac! Love it! Can't wait to see what is coming!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnasher729 Avatar
125 months ago
Sounds like BS. As I understand, the problem is with passing data from Level 3 to Comcast. It's not like AppleTV boxes are connected directly to Level 3 network.

You must sooooo hate it when someone says something positive about Apple.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tknelson Avatar
125 months ago
Do you honestly think anyone on Wall Street is going to be impressed with that $1 billion business? C'mon. That would move Apple's overall needle about .01%. As soon as they announced that lackluster figure, Apple share price immediately went limp. I doubt even a $10 billion business would move Apple's share price up appreciably. We not talking about an unlimited growth potential company like Google. Every venture that Apple will ever do in the future has already been priced into the stock. I'm not going to buy an AppleTV until it has approved PLEX support although I might consider it if it plays off-the-shelf iOS games. So far, everything Apple does is only succeeding in driving the share price down further. And things never go well for Apple stock when Tim Cook starts with his "Apple will soon yada yada..." speech. :mad:

Why on earth do people say such moronic things?

$1 Billion is 0.01% of 10 TRILLION dollars. With annual revenues at around 150 Billion, you are off by almost two orders of magnitude.

… and when you say $10 Billion would also be tiny, that's not so much less than iPad revenues in 2012. Are you saying the iPad hasn't contributed to the share price?

Stocks are down today: this news has nothing to do with the share price today.

Oh yeah… and the Easter Bunny isn't real.

Anything else I can help you get a clue about?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...