Apple in Content Talks With Owner of Fremantle, Co-Producer of American Idol and Other Reality Shows

RTL Group, the largest broadcasting and production company in Europe, has confirmed a potential content partnership with Apple.

fremantle
"Discussions with new OTT platforms such as Apple are also being held," said RTL Group CEO Bert Habets, speaking on the company's earnings call today, according to Deadline. OTT is short for over-the-top media services and presumably refers to Apple's widely expected streaming video service.

RTL Group owns Fremantle, which co-produces reality series and game shows such as American Idol, America's Got Talent, The Price is Right, and Family Feud in the United States. It is unclear if any of these series would be distributed on Apple's video service or if a partnership would focus solely on original content.

Apple is expected to unveil its video platform at its March 25 event at Steve Jobs Theater. The company already has dozens of original TV shows and movies lined up for the service, including an unnamed morning show drama starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell.

Multiple reports indicate that Apple plans to launch the video service by April or May, with a rollout to more than 100 countries expected by the end of the year. A subscription format is expected, but pricing remains a question mark.

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Top Rated Comments

TheShadowKnows! Avatar
83 months ago
"RTL Group owns Fremantle ('https://www.fremantle.com/our-shows/'), which co-produces reality series and game shows such as American Idol, America's Got Talent, The Price is Right, and Family Feud in the United States."

Reality shows::= The end of reasoned civilization as we know it.
Game shows::= Dumb and dumber.

Just my view.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
e-coli Avatar
83 months ago
Glad to see Apple has their finger on the pulse…of 2005.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nvmls Avatar
83 months ago
Blow-away pipeline, Tim warned us.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Marco Klobas Avatar
83 months ago
The Price is Right and Apple are a tough match. :)

Seriously, I don't think game shows will be streamed. The rumored talks are probably focused on other TV contents.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lone Deranger Avatar
83 months ago
Honestly, I hope this will fail.
This MUST fail, at all costs!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Khedron Avatar
83 months ago
Courageous content
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)