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iTunes Chief Eddy Cue: 'We're All In' on Original Content
Apple iTunes music chief Eddy Cue is at the SXSW conference today, where he sat down for an interview with CNN's Dylan Byers to discuss media, entertainment, and why curation matters.
The major announcement of the event was Apple's pending acquisition of magazine subscription service Texture, which will be integrated into Apple News, but Cue also shared some insight into Apple's original content plans, and much of what he said has been shared on Twitter.
Image via @JohanTrouve
According to Cue, Apple News is a unique service because it isn't focused on advertising, so it's not solely providing the news you want to read - it's also sharing news "you should be reading." Cue says Apple can do that because advertising isn't the focus. "We're not trying to get you to read so we can serve you more ads," he said. "We want to give you a bit of serendipity to see all of what's out there," he added.
On the topic of Apple's content plans, Cue said the company is "all in." "We're completely all in," he said. Apple isn't going to buy a company like Netflix or Disney, though, because the focus is not quantity, it's quality. "You need to have a great story," he said, while also teasing technology that will be a "surprise" to users.
Apple searched for the right people to run an original content team for two years before finding former Sony executives Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht. Cue says Apple was after someone who "really knew the business but was also willing to think about it differently." Since hiring Van Amburg and Erlicht last year, Apple has inked deals for more than 10 TV shows, many with high-profile actors, producers, and directors.
"We're making big investments," said Cue. "Money isn't an issue." Apple's original content team has grown to about 40 people over the course of the last year.
When asked about sports, Cue said that Apple wants to "augment the experience" rather than own sports content, doing things like sending out notifications when a game stats to enhance the viewing experience. "We think there's a huge opportunity," he said, referring to making sports watching a more interactive experience.
Cue also shared new details on Apple Music. The subscription service has grown to 38 million subscribers, with more than 8 million people using the trial service.
Cue commented on the HomePod, which went on sale in February. He said Apple is happy with the initial sales of the device, which is the "best musicologist there is." Cue said Apple is "very proud" of the device.
Echoing statements Apple CEO Tim Cook has made several times over the course of the past year, Cue said Apple is "very, very optimistic" that AR is going to be huge. It's going to be a mainstream product that everyone uses every day.
He declined to give specifics on the topic of AR hardware outside of the iPhone, though, citing a desire to continue working at Apple. "I've worked for Apple for almost 30 years and hope to work for Apple for another 20 years, so I'm not going to answer questions on future products," he said.
The major announcement of the event was Apple's pending acquisition of magazine subscription service Texture, which will be integrated into Apple News, but Cue also shared some insight into Apple's original content plans, and much of what he said has been shared on Twitter.
According to Cue, Apple News is a unique service because it isn't focused on advertising, so it's not solely providing the news you want to read - it's also sharing news "you should be reading." Cue says Apple can do that because advertising isn't the focus. "We're not trying to get you to read so we can serve you more ads," he said. "We want to give you a bit of serendipity to see all of what's out there," he added.
On the topic of Apple's content plans, Cue said the company is "all in." "We're completely all in," he said. Apple isn't going to buy a company like Netflix or Disney, though, because the focus is not quantity, it's quality. "You need to have a great story," he said, while also teasing technology that will be a "surprise" to users.
Apple searched for the right people to run an original content team for two years before finding former Sony executives Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht. Cue says Apple was after someone who "really knew the business but was also willing to think about it differently." Since hiring Van Amburg and Erlicht last year, Apple has inked deals for more than 10 TV shows, many with high-profile actors, producers, and directors.
"We're making big investments," said Cue. "Money isn't an issue." Apple's original content team has grown to about 40 people over the course of the last year.
When asked about sports, Cue said that Apple wants to "augment the experience" rather than own sports content, doing things like sending out notifications when a game stats to enhance the viewing experience. "We think there's a huge opportunity," he said, referring to making sports watching a more interactive experience.
Cue also shared new details on Apple Music. The subscription service has grown to 38 million subscribers, with more than 8 million people using the trial service.
Cue commented on the HomePod, which went on sale in February. He said Apple is happy with the initial sales of the device, which is the "best musicologist there is." Cue said Apple is "very proud" of the device.
Echoing statements Apple CEO Tim Cook has made several times over the course of the past year, Cue said Apple is "very, very optimistic" that AR is going to be huge. It's going to be a mainstream product that everyone uses every day.
He declined to give specifics on the topic of AR hardware outside of the iPhone, though, citing a desire to continue working at Apple. "I've worked for Apple for almost 30 years and hope to work for Apple for another 20 years, so I'm not going to answer questions on future products," he said.
Tags: Eddy Cue, Apple Music Guide
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
[ 126 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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20 months ago
I can’t take Apple’s content ambitions seriously as long as Eddy is in charge of it. iTunes and Apple TV have been two of Apple’s worst products/services since Steve passed.
20 months ago
> the focus is not quantity, it's quality
Is Carpool Karaoke one of those "quality" shows?
Is Carpool Karaoke one of those "quality" shows?
20 months ago
I can’t take Apple’s content ambitions seriously as long as Eddy is in charge of it. iTunes and Apple TV have been two of Apple’s worst products/services since Steve passed.
And the other problem is, that Apple's content will only be limited to Apple hardware, unlike every other solution which is multi platform, and integrates perfectly into different mobile, tablet, computer and tv's.
20 months ago
Confirmed. Apple is out of great ideas and is wandering aimlessly. They're spending too much time peering over the fence of the Apple orchard into their neighbors' lemon tree orchard. Make your orchard the best it can be, Timmy. Don't be distracted.
20 months ago
Quality content? That's cool and all but so far I haven't seen it or rumors of anything I'd be interested in. Will this content sell more iphones or macs? No? Then why bother. Google already offers 35 a month youtube tv. It's hard to imagine anything from Apple being any better but I'll admit something similar is what I expected already from Apple.
Work on your software and services Apple and quit this content nonsense.
Work on your software and services Apple and quit this content nonsense.
20 months ago
Is "all in" the 2018 version of "doubling down"?
(Google searches reveal Apple have been "doubling down" on product secrecy. ('https://www.theverge.com/2012/5/29/3051521/tim-cook-apple-will-double-down-on-secrecy-on-products') And security ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/16/apple-to-double-down-icloud-encryption/'). And Siri. ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JqwADYk4wM') Has not always been turning out that well).
(Google searches reveal Apple have been "doubling down" on product secrecy. ('https://www.theverge.com/2012/5/29/3051521/tim-cook-apple-will-double-down-on-secrecy-on-products') And security ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/16/apple-to-double-down-icloud-encryption/'). And Siri. ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JqwADYk4wM') Has not always been turning out that well).
20 months ago
Apple seems pretty confused on what to do post-Steve Jobs and is now clearly just throwing spaghetti on the wall.
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