Time Warner CEO 'Pretty Confident' Apple Will Launch Streaming TV Service

During a recent earnings call relayed by CNET, Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes said he believes Apple will launch an Internet-based television service and that Apple is "very forward-thinking" when it comes to TV.

"We think Apple is very forward-thinking about television," he said, noting the computer maker's deal with Time Warner as the launch partner of streaming service HBO Now. "It's no surprise to anyone that Apple would be interested in launching a TV product."

It is not clear if Bewkes has insider knowledge regarding Apple's television plans, but Apple and Time Warner have been entwined in deals several times in the past, most recently with the HBO Now deal. Apple and Time Warner, HBO's parent company, partnered up for the HBO Now launch, with Apple's Apple TV and iOS devices being some of the first to offer the HBO Now service.

Aimed at cord cutters, HBO Now is priced at $14.99 and offers all of HBO's content without a cable subscription. Beyond HBO Now, Apple and Time Warner have discussed television many times in the past and have attempted to establish content deals, but those have yet to materialize.

appletv
Apple's ongoing difficulties establishing content deals with companies like Time Warner have spanned several years and have repeatedly delayed its television efforts. Apple's inability to convince cable companies and content providers to change the status quo has also caused Apple to scale back on its ambitious television plans.

Apple may have begun having more luck getting companies on board with its television plans, however, as recent rumors have indeed pointed towards the imminent launch of a streaming television service and possibly a new set-top box. Apple's new service may include content from CBS, Fox, Walt Disney, and more, with approximately 25 channels available at a cost between $30 and $40 per month.

Apple's rumored streaming television service may make an appearance in June at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

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

Top Rated Comments

2457282 Avatar
110 months ago
At 125 a month for basic HD cable and internet when I watch 12 of those channels, I would love to cut the cord...

Cut the cord!

1. call the cable company and cancel the tripple play, downgrading to internet only

2. Get an atenna to watch over the air digital tv stations

3. Get an apple TV box to buy or rent seasons of what every you want

4. Get a Hulu or Netflix account if you want a buffet approach

I do this and really get everything I want.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
110 months ago
1. Broadband only can still run $40-$100 depending on speed and how long one has been a customer.

2. Assuming one lives close enough to do so; many do not

3. These costs are starting to add up

4. Ok, by now one is pretty close to that original cable bill.

1. I pay $37/month
2. one time-cost of $40. I live in a city and get 20 channels over the air. Granted in rural areas it will be less. But I believe that the major networks do cover a significant portion of the country.
3. one time cost of $79 for the apple box. Movie rentals are about $6, and I rent about 2 per month
4. I pay $8/month for Netflix

Total cost - $120 one time fees and $45/month to support all my viewing pleasure.

Not having to pay Comcrap wads of cash -- priceless. :D
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oneMadRssn Avatar
110 months ago
As long as Apple doesn't remove current functionality, like Netflix, that might compete with their own streaming offering.

----------

In HD?

OTA signals are 1080i HD in most areas.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arggg14 Avatar
110 months ago
At 125 a month for basic HD cable and internet when I watch 12 of those channels, I would love to cut the cord...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
willmtaylor Avatar
110 months ago
Surprised the the CEO of any of the major telecom companies could take the head out of their @$$E$ long enough to notice what Apple could be doing, much less be interested or speculate in regards to it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
realeric Avatar
110 months ago
Cut cord and create a new cord ($30-$40 per month). :p
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
macos sonoma 4

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With New Widget Features, Safari Updates, Screen Sharing Improvements and More

Tuesday September 26, 2023 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS 14 Sonoma, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Mac. macOS Sonoma has been in beta testing for several months, and it is compatible with the 2019 and later iMac, the iMac Pro, the 2018 and later Mac mini, the 2018 and later MacBook Pro, the 2019 and later Mac Pro, and the Mac Studio. The ‌macOS Sonoma update can be downloaded for free on...