Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Disney CEO's Board Seat 'at Risk' With Apple Planning to Launch Video Service
Apple's upcoming video streaming service and its work on original TV content could spell trouble for Apple board member and Disney CEO Bob Iger, reports Bloomberg, citing the potential for competition between the two companies.
Iger is potentially at risk of losing his seat on Apple's board as Apple prepares to launch its streaming TV service. Apple already has more than two dozen original TV shows in the works and has purchased rights to several movies, with all of that content set to be offered via the upcoming service.
Image via Bloomberg
Apple's service, which it plans to introduce at a March 25 event but launch later in the year, will also incorporate add-on content from other providers like SHOWTIME.
Disney, like Apple, is working on its own streaming service, Disney+, and is potentially set to be one of Apple's competitors. Disney+ will offer Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel content (including content made just for Disney+), and like Apple's TV service, it will launch in 2019. Disney also recently acquired Fox's assets, giving it majority control over Hulu and other channels and film franchises.
Apple proxy filings that have detailed "arms-length commercial dealings" with Disney have specified that Iger does not have a "material direct or indirect interest" in the deals, but Bloomberg suggests that could change when both companies have launched their streaming services.
John Coffee, director of the Center on Corporate Governance at Columbia Law School told Bloomberg that Disney and Apple "might have to recognize that they will become active competitors in the near future." Both companies likely have legal advisers exploring whether Iger should continue to be on Apple's board, according to Coffee.
Iger, who was a good friend of Steve Jobs, has been on Apple's board since 2011, but there is precedent for a board member leaving due to increasing competition. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was previously on Apple's board, but resigned in 2009 after Google entered the smartphone market.
Iger is potentially at risk of losing his seat on Apple's board as Apple prepares to launch its streaming TV service. Apple already has more than two dozen original TV shows in the works and has purchased rights to several movies, with all of that content set to be offered via the upcoming service.
Apple's service, which it plans to introduce at a March 25 event but launch later in the year, will also incorporate add-on content from other providers like SHOWTIME.
Disney, like Apple, is working on its own streaming service, Disney+, and is potentially set to be one of Apple's competitors. Disney+ will offer Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel content (including content made just for Disney+), and like Apple's TV service, it will launch in 2019. Disney also recently acquired Fox's assets, giving it majority control over Hulu and other channels and film franchises.
Apple proxy filings that have detailed "arms-length commercial dealings" with Disney have specified that Iger does not have a "material direct or indirect interest" in the deals, but Bloomberg suggests that could change when both companies have launched their streaming services.
John Coffee, director of the Center on Corporate Governance at Columbia Law School told Bloomberg that Disney and Apple "might have to recognize that they will become active competitors in the near future." Both companies likely have legal advisers exploring whether Iger should continue to be on Apple's board, according to Coffee.
Iger, who was a good friend of Steve Jobs, has been on Apple's board since 2011, but there is precedent for a board member leaving due to increasing competition. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was previously on Apple's board, but resigned in 2009 after Google entered the smartphone market.
Tag: Disney
[ 44 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
7 months ago
Image via Bloomberg ('https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-05/apple-s-video-plans-put-disney-chief-s-board-seat-at-risk')
[I]Explosion courtesy of BlinkFarm ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=HscGgC0MtZ0')[/I]
7 months ago
But how will Iger pay his rent without the $300K for four meetings a year?
7 months ago
Board members are NEVER paid by the company. They don't even have logon accounts to any company a person serves on the board - except the CEO. If he's chairman of the board as well then that's a lucky payment.
Article I feel is mis titled. He's seat is not 'in danger' as apposed of, no longer required due to an upcoming conflict of interest.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000119312519004664/d667873ddef14a.htm#toc667873_18
7 months ago
Yes, because electrical engineers are the best corporate board members.
It can be very beneficial to have someone who actually understands how the products are made on the board.
7 months ago
Well if he leaves the board, maybe he can use that newfound extra time to figure out how to not butcher further Star Wars movies
7 months ago
Good !
Replace him with an EE or Software Developer !
7 months ago
Iger is willing to sell Cook Star Wars as long as Luke doesn't have to use a rose gold light saber.
7 months ago
Board members are NEVER paid by the company. They don't even have logon accounts to any company a person serves on the board - except the CEO. If he's chairman of the board as well then that's a lucky payment.
Article I feel is mis titled. He's seat is not 'in danger' as apposed of, no longer required due to an upcoming conflict of interest.
Board members are almost always paid.
7 months ago
A little bit of a misstatement there...
Should read: ...resigned in 2009 after stealing Apple’s intellectual property in iPhone to enter the smartphone market.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was previously on Apple's board, but resigned in 2009 after Google entered the smartphone market
Should read: ...resigned in 2009 after stealing Apple’s intellectual property in iPhone to enter the smartphone market.
7 months ago
We will have too many streaming services with specific content.
People will move back to piracy.
People will move back to piracy.
[ Read All Comments ]
Amazon this week is discounting numerous Apple notebooks and tablets, offering new all-time-low prices in each instance. You can save as much as $400 in these sales, which relate to the 2019...
NBCUniversal today revealed that the name of its upcoming streaming television service is "Peacock," a reference to the company's logo. The service is still set to launch in April 2020,...
Amazon today introduced a new tier of Amazon Music, called Amazon Music HD, which offers lossless versions of audio files for streaming or downloading. This tier will cost $14.99/month, or...
Signify today announced a new device for its Philip Hue line of lights, debuting the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, designed to allow Hue users to sync their lights to their home entertainment systems.
...
Apple on Tuesday argued that the European Union's order for it to pay 13 billion euros ($14.3 billion) in back taxes to Ireland "defies reality and common sense," as it kicked off its...
Apple is set to invest $1 billion in India as it gets ready to export its "Made in India" iPhones, according to a new report out today.
Times of India says Foxconn is the main...
The non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance today announced the release of the Wi-Fi 6 certification program, noting that devices with the Wi-Fi 6 Certified logo will meet the "highest standards for security...
MacRumors has partnered with Anker again this week to offer our readers a chance to save on nine accessories, including USB-C chargers, wireless chargers, Lightning cables, and portable battery...
