Vaporware Rumor Would Turn Apple TV Into Cable Box
Nov 2nd, 2009 | By James Lewin | Category: Internet TV, Video 
MediaMemo reports today that Apple is allegedly talking to the TV networks to round up support fr a monthly subscription service that would deliver TV programs via iTunes:
Apple (AAPL) isn’t tying the proposed service to a specific piece of hardware, like its underwhelming Apple TV box or its long-rumored tablet/slate device. Instead, the company is presenting the offer as an extension of its iTunes software and store, which already has 100 million customers.
A so-called “over the top†service could theoretically rival the ones most consumers already buy from cable TV operators–if Apple is able to get enough buy-in from broadcast and cable TV programmers.
While this an interesting rumor – it appears that there’s little more to it than that.
If Apple want to compete with your local cable provider, the way it’s going to have to do it is by opening up Apple TV as a home entertainment platform.
The networks don’t have a lot of incentive to alienate cable providers – so the way forward is to route around the networks and make delivering content to iTunes or Apple TV as easy as changing channels on your television – something it, arguably, has done with the App Store.
Has anyone else noticed what Microsoft has been doing with Media Center in Win7 lately? They've added a bunch of Internet TV channels. Unfortunately, they're only accessible in the US. You can also access Netflix though it now.
Media center, Apple TV, and other solutions seem like they are all being held back by content deals.
These companies need to focus on making Internet TV a viable platform, and they're not going to do that by focusing on television networks.
I have been waiting for Apple to give us Satellite TV or TV channels in our Mac computers. At least the local channel in our area would be a start: ABC, Fox, Univision … I signed up with a satellite provider for internet called: satellitetvpcmaster.com which cost $50, a one time fee. There were other satellite tv for internet computers, but non said that they were available for Macs. Satellitetvpcmaster did say that it was available for Mac, but it did not work with my IBook 2006. It was quite problematic, one has to go to another site and download a program there that would let you in turn download the satellite tv software to my Mac computer. Also, there was another fee for the download of the Mac program, I think it was $30 after the initial 30 days free. This software is called Codeweavers. In their website this codeweaver said for which kind of Mac it was available, it seems that only the 2009 Mac can use it. Any way, I call satellitetv and ask for a refund, which I received right away. One way Apple can get around satellitetv and cable tv is to create its OWN channel and start there. Apple can have its own programming and add programs and movies as other channels have done. Disney created its own channel and programming, then it added more channels. In 2009 there is a channel for everything and anything: A&E, History, Discovery, CNN News, Fox News… TV5 Monde (I have this French channel!!!!!) and 100's more.
Apple could show its channel on Apple TV or another way (itune?). I don't have Apple TV so I am not sure how it works but the name says it all, no? it is a tv. Not sure how apple would start its own shows, but they can start simple, with short 30 mins. comedies, documentaries, etc. Apple will need to hire a crew for television, writers, actors, etc. Apple could be in the air 2 hours a day to start and then grow phone there.