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Eddy Cue Says Apple 'Not Trying to Create TV Shows,' But Willing to Help Where Possible

Thursday July 14, 2016 7:44 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Eddy-CueApple executive Eddy Cue, who oversees services like the iTunes Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, Siri, Maps, and iAd, sat down for a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the future of Apple TV, the company's relationship with Hollywood studios, and more.

When questioned about the original programming space, Cue said Apple is not in the business of trying to create TV shows, nor is it trying to compete with the likes of Netflix or Comcast. Instead, he said Apple may "help" producers, as it is doing for Planet of the Apps.
We're not in the business of trying to create TV shows. If we see it being complementary to the things we're doing at Apple Music or if we see it being something that's innovative on our platform, we may help them and guide them and make suggestions. But we're not trying to compete with Netflix or compete with Comcast.
Cue also downplayed rumors about Apple's interest in purchasing Time Warner, stating that the company is "not actively trying to buy any studio" right now.
In general, there's always a lot of speculation across many different companies, and some of that relates to the fact that we have a lot of money and so, therefore, we can afford to make acquisitions. So we have a lot of discussions with [Time Warner], but I don't want to speculate. We're not — at this point, certainly — actively trying to buy any studio.
Cue said Apple is only interested in entering the content space when the projects are tied to its existing products, which for now is Apple Music.
The rest of it is about giving [talent] a platform that allows them to be creative in new ways. If I was an agent, I would be very, very excited about what Apple is doing because it lets the people that I represent be able to do more.
Cue said he makes business trips to Los Angeles, where Apple has a growing team surrounding Apple Music and Beats, about five to six times per month. Apple's relationship with Hollywood, which began with Steve Jobs, is said to have "gotten better and better" over time as the industry warms up to Silicon Valley.

Yesterday, Apple posted an open casting call for its upcoming original TV show Planet of the Apps, an unscripted program about apps and the people who make them. The series will be spearheaded by executive producers will.i.am, Ben Silverman, and Howard Owens, with filming to take place in Los Angeles in late 2016 and early 2017.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 12
Tags: Eddy Cue, Time Warner, Apple TV Guide
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
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kingofwale
36 months ago
"
Eddy Cue Says Apple 'Not Trying to Create TV Shows,'"

well, it's not like you are trying to create a competitive phone either... so what are you doing?
Rating: 15 Votes
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jlasoon
36 months ago
Is Eddy even trying to create anything these days?
Rating: 11 Votes
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rdlink
36 months ago

Ohhh Eddy, you need to go.


I'm so glad that the world is full of people who know how to evaluate talent so much better than those who are hired to run the richest company in the world.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Dilster3k
36 months ago
Ohhh Eddy, you need to go.
Rating: 10 Votes
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ARB4
36 months ago
Solid strategy (for the time being, at least). Let the major players in that space do what they do best, and focus on Apple being the premiere platform for distribution and consumption.
Rating: 9 Votes
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Sandstorm
36 months ago
Tim "beancounter" Cook. Phil "innovator my ass" Schiller. Eddy "no clue" Cue.

The dream team. Together they have turned a company I admired into something I almost despise these days.
Rating: 8 Votes
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twocents
36 months ago
While the whole "Steve wouldn't" thing has gotten old, it's fun to think about if Tim said "no" more often than "yes" these days
Rating: 6 Votes
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MH01
36 months ago

Tim "beancounter" Cook. Phil "innovator my ass" Schiller. Eddy "no clue" Cue.

The dream team. Together they have turned a company I admired into something I almost despise these days.


Part of me really hopes that things will change, also when you look at the execs, looks like they are crusing , waiting for thier retirements, trying to maximise thier payouts....hence the push to max profits . Just a theory anyway.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Sandstorm
36 months ago

While the whole "Steve wouldn't" thing has gotten old, it's fun to think about if Tim said "no" more often than "yes" these days


For every NO to timely updated Macs, Displays, stable and reliable software, non-pathetic components (spinning hard drives, pathetic webcams, lowres screens, single ports, small memory, small battery etc etc) there are 1000 YESes for milking/rehashing old products, new watch bands, celebrities, pride accessories, gold luxury watches, tv shows, radio stations, emojis, animated crap effects etc etc etc. Truly sad.
Rating: 5 Votes
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MH01
36 months ago

I have no idea if he's the "right man for the job." Nor do you. The difference is that I am not arrogant enough to pretend that I know how to run the richest company in the world better than the people who are actually doing it. That was my point.

Maybe EA will make an new SIMs Apple version, and you can use it to prove how much better you'd do at running the company than the accomplished people who are doing so now.


You assume just cause someone has an important position, it's end of debate, cause the company is doing well.

When it comes to senior roles, politics and business are very similar, it's not about the best person for the job...

May I introduce you to Boris Johnson.... Many BoJo's exist in business in very senior roles.

Come to think of it, that would make W Bush, a good president, as he ran the most powerful country in the world ;) .... Logically.
Rating: 5 Votes

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