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

Wednesday April 29, 2015 2:29 pm PDT by Juli Clover
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 Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 12
Tags: Time Warner, Jeffrey Bewkes, streaming TV service
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution)
[ 73 comments ]


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2457282
49 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.
Rating: 11 Votes
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2457282
49 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
Rating: 7 Votes
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oneMadRssn
49 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.
Rating: 5 Votes
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willmtaylor
49 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.
Rating: 4 Votes
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arggg14
49 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...
Rating: 4 Votes
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Rogifan
49 months ago

I hate to pull Gene Munster here, because Time Warner's CEO is talking about streaming service as a TV product and not a television set.

But I think for Apple to succeed, it needs to sell a set top box as well as a television set. Before everyone here hits the reply button and flame the heck out of me, hear me out.

Walk into Best Buy, Costco, etc. Look at TVs that came out this year. You know what nearly every single one, including those priced under $200 have in common? They can all play Netflix, etc. out of the box. Most are running Android TV or ChromeCast OS.

While us Apple fans would still purchase set top box with these TVs, a vast majority won't.


I wonder how long these smart TVs will last because I keep hearing people want dumb TVs and smart boxes. I kind of see smart TVs like 3D; a passing fad.
Rating: 3 Votes
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realeric
49 months ago
Cut cord and create a new cord ($30-$40 per month). :p
Rating: 3 Votes
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Freyqq
49 months ago

I hate to pull Gene Munster here, because Time Warner's CEO is talking about streaming service as a TV product and not a television set.

But I think for Apple to succeed, it needs to sell a set top box as well as a television set. Before everyone here hits the reply button and flame the heck out of me, hear me out.

Walk into Best Buy, Costco, etc. Look at TVs that came out this year. You know what nearly every single one, including those priced under $200 have in common? They can all play Netflix, etc. out of the box. Most are running Android TV or ChromeCast OS.

While us Apple fans would still purchase set top box with these TVs, a vast majority won't.


I disagree. The advantage of having a tv and a set of boxes is that you can swap out a new box when necessary. Also, TVs have razor-thin margins. Apple might come out with a great TV, but it will be expensive. I am all for expensive monitors, as your face is close to it and you can see the extra detail easily. However, TVs are viewed from 6+ feet away, so an average TV and a great TV are harder to distinguish. That's also why I think 4k TV will be slow to materialize. 4k is amazing on a screen close to your face. But, 6 feet away, you can't see the pixels on 1080p as it is.
Rating: 2 Votes
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mattopotamus
49 months ago
Our ISP's are about to destroy us with price hikes and throttling.
Rating: 2 Votes
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vertical smile
49 months ago

And when the cable companies lose enough tv customers, they'll jack up their internet rates.


Someone paying a little more for internet that they always use is better than paying a lot more for lots of tv content they will never use.
Rating: 2 Votes

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