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Apple Hires Former Time Warner Cable Exec for Cloud Services Team

Wednesday September 14, 2016 4:01 pm PDT by Juli Clover
petersternFormer Time Warner Cable executive Peter Stern has joined Apple to work on the cloud services team, reports The Wall Street Journal. Stern will serve as a vice president, reporting to iTunes chief Eddy Cue.

During his tenure at Time Warner Cable, Stern was involved in talks with Apple about a potential deal for a joint television service that would be offered on the Apple TV. No such deal was able to be established, however, as Apple has had ongoing negotiation difficulties with content providers. Stern left Time Warner Cable following its acquisition by Charter Communications earlier this year.
He served in senior strategy and corporate development roles at the cable company as it maneuvered through multiple takeover attempts over the past few years.

Most recently, as chief product, people and strategy officer, Mr. Stern helped implement a strategy focused on customer service that helped Time Warner Cable grow its cable TV subscribers last year after nearly a decade of losses.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Stern is a vocal proponent for eliminating proprietary cable boxes provided by cable companies. He believes content providers should "be more open" to offering TV channels as apps across a wide range of devices.

Given his expertise in the cable industry, Stern may help Eddy Cue negotiate deals with media companies for a future television service. Cloud services also encompasses Apple Music, iTunes, and other iCloud-based products, so his hiring does not necessarily suggest a renewed interest in television streaming.

Tags: Eddy Cue, iCloud
[ 76 comments ]


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iwayne
32 months ago
Time Warner uh oh. TWC is the one of the worst companies in the world
Rating: 23 Votes
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IUBall22
32 months ago
I hope he's all ears to customers' needs.
Rating: 10 Votes
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NachoGrande
32 months ago
That's not good. Nothing from TWC is good.
Rating: 8 Votes
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uberboxer
32 months ago
I dont think many people sing praises of their cable companies. But TWC has to be one of the worst consumer friendly companies out there. Why would Apple see value in hiring anyone from that company?
Rating: 7 Votes
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Opieap13
32 months ago

I can't unsee those ears...

Ears! Where's his freaking eyebrows?
Rating: 6 Votes
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Denisg3577
32 months ago
I worked in HR for TWC under Stern for a few years. I have to say that he is ridiculously smart and had great vision. He also took project input very well and would actually adjust plans were appropriate. He shared with our team several concepts/visions that he had for the future of Cable Industry (and it wasn't just TV/Internet/Phone). So although his picture may make him look like a 'suit', this could turn out to be a good hire. Time will tell.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Cartoonkid
32 months ago
Wow, if TWC's current "customer service" model was his idea, I fear for Apple. I've never dealt with a company who cares less about their customers than TWC.

And I don't put much stock in the claim of increase in numbers of subscribers. I'd like to see numbers on retention. It's one thing to sign up a customer with an offer that they can't refuse (free pay channels, low intro price, etc.), but another thing entirely to keep them once all the promos expire and they have to call customer service.
Rating: 5 Votes
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QuarterSwede
32 months ago

I can't unsee those ears...

Seriously!? This guy is from TWC and the one thing you pick on is something he's born with!?
Rating: 5 Votes
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sw1tcher
32 months ago

Seriously!? This guy is from TWC and the one thing you pick on is something he's born with!?


Shallow and insecure people.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Mlrollin91
32 months ago

Time Warner uh oh. TWC is the one of the worst companies in the world

My two hated companies are SiriusXM and TWC. I can't stand dealing with them. I avoid contact as much as possible.
Rating: 4 Votes

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