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Apple spent too much time in the early years focusing on the techology side instead of building up rights agreements with studios, networks, etc. We've heard for years that it was going to take video more seriously, so maybe this is the proof that it finally is. With that said, we are using our Apple tv more since the UI is better than netflix, HBO Go and amazon.
dcawrey
4/12/2017 10:50:56 AM
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Re: content
Price is going to be really important in these battles.
I think Google is offering a package for around $35 as well. But it is a much better deal as there are more channels. Apple will figure this out, for one thing I think people who are fans of the company will pay a premium, but not a huge one.
mhhf1ve
4/12/2017 12:55:34 PM
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Re: content
Apple is also producing its own shows now... so far, Apple's shows haven't exactly been the same caliber as Netflix or Amazon or Hulu's exclusive content shows. But maybe by the time these kind of deals pan out, Apple will have gotten a few hit shows under its belt?
vnewman
4/12/2017 3:43:25 PM
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Re: content
Oddly enough, the Apple TV site actually mentions Netflix, HBONow, and Hulu apps "along with iTunes" as if they are in the same caliber of TV options. It's a clever strategy, albeit not totally believable.
I see they've addressed the single sign-on issue finally. That was a thorn in my side for quite a long time. My Apple TV is now 8 years old - maybe I will finally upgrade it.
afwriter
4/12/2017 12:44:22 PM
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Re: content
@Mike, that is interesting. I personally don't know anyone who uses Apple TV anymore. I think UI will be a defining factor in the future of OTT services. Maybe I should look into Apple TV?
Re: content
I have to admit that we got Apple TV mainly so we can watch videos of our kids on our TV. Connecting laptops and camera's to the TV was turning into a huge pain, but it's very easy to do now since we all have iphones and mac laptops. But now we are accessing netflix and other content through Apple. We've downloaded some of the network and cable apps, but haven't used them a lot.
faryl
4/12/2017 3:16:58 PM
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Re: content
I love my Apple TV. I even "uncut my cord" for better internet access and keep forgetting to watch cable now that I have it.
Whichever channels aren't available on the Apple TV can be streamed from my phone, iPad, or computer via airplay.
Then again, I continue to use apple's products mainly because I'm accustomed to the interface and am not in the mood for change right now; not sure my viewing habits are necessarily typical ones.
Michelle
4/12/2017 1:29:00 PM
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Re: content
@mike Apple has a lot of work to do before it can properly compete. Subscribers can already get premium add ons for less with other providers. Amazon, Roku, and Hulu all offer HBO and others for $10 a month each. You can already get three premium channels for about $30/month. I don't see an advantage for Apple right now.
I think the UI is better with Apple TV because Apple provides a better development kit and display options to TV app developers.
mhhf1ve
4/12/2017 4:35:16 PM
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Re: content
I thought the "new" Apple TV was supposed to have a more advanced search capability -- so that it would be easier to find shows and content that were spread across different apps. I wonder how this possible deal makes anything easier?
dcawrey
4/14/2017 12:03:10 PM
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Re: content
Apple has been grappling with TV for years. If they can make the experience as good as OS X, I think people would pay for it. I would just cringe though if over time they add a bunch of bloat.
clrmoney
4/12/2017 12:10:18 PM
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Apple on TV
I would not be surprised with Apple getting TV because it's a billion dollar business like HBO etc. This will just add more income for them branching out in this area.
afwriter
4/12/2017 12:48:08 PM
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Re: Apple on TV
Maybe taking this angle and vying for the higher end crowd will be exactly what Apple needs to carve out a space for themselves in the market.
dmendyk
4/12/2017 12:34:57 PM
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Underwhelming
For a company that prides itself on innovation, Apple's misadventures in this sector are almost shocking.
elizabethv
4/14/2017 5:07:39 PM
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Apple
"So the audience would be limited to perhaps a small group of Apple fans willing to purchase pretty much anything Apple comes out with."
Ah - but those people exist. One of them is my father-in-law. And Apple knows that. It's like the Star Wars fans that will pay anything to do anything Star Wars, including pay out the nose to stand in a line for two+ hours for a 15 minute experience. And not only do those people exist, they exist in larger numbers than I think most of us want to admit to..... That's still a decent market. And while I'm not even an Apple fan, actually kind of anti-Apple, I personally didn't think that bundle sounded too bad. If they can give it to me for $25, I'd at least consider it. That's a lot of movie options right there......
dcawrey
4/15/2017 2:34:59 PM
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Re: Apple
@elizabethv I'm now reading rumors that Apple wants to buy Disney.
Sounds strange at first, but makes a lot of sense. Apple needs content. ESPN isn't doing as well as it once did. Technology plus content could be the new wave of modern massive organizations.
elizabethv
4/19/2017 1:14:43 PM
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Re: Apple
@dcawrey - Yeah I've heard that too. But I've seen a lot more negative reactions to the possibility than I have positive. Personally, I'm not really a fan of the huge megacorporations, though it tends to be what happens in the world of telco and media anymore. And I'm not really sure how Apple could benefit Disney, though I hope they don't make it so you can only access new Disney content via Apple products.
mhhf1ve
4/21/2017 2:48:39 PM
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Re: Apple
> "rumors that Apple wants to buy Disney.."
That would be a huge deal.. but I wonder how Apple would really handle it. Apple isn't accustomed to dealing with media properties, and the media landscape is dominated by Disney -- so would Apple be in control? Or would Disney be some kind of semi-independent division?
I think such a deal would actually be bad for both companies. There's not too much "synergy" that isn't detrimental to the overall industry.
elizabethv
4/27/2017 1:40:02 PM
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Re: Apple
@mhhf1ve - I can't imagine Disney wouldn't want to retain at least a good portion of control over the company. Even if they don't retain any rights, I would hope there is some kind of loyalty to the brand and wanting it to remain largely the way it always has been. Releasing complete control to Apple would worry me about what it would do the overall brand and its image. Either way, I imagine Walt rolling over in his grave if it happens.
Michelle
4/27/2017 1:55:22 PM
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Re: Apple
@mhh I can't imagine Apple buing Disney. Two giants who do pretty much whatever they want would have to remain very separate. I suspect first access rights to Disney content could be beneficial to Apple. I wonder what kind of technological advantages Apple could offer Disney...
mhhf1ve
4/27/2017 2:28:47 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Apple
I don't think Apple would have much to offer Disney in terms of technological innovation for Disney's business. Apple is pretty focused on general consumer hardware and a few services on top of it (although big services, like iTunes/iCloud). Disney already has a Disney Research division that does some pretty amazing work trying to bring technology to Disney's art. I doubt Apple has anything that could match that.
elizabethv
4/27/2017 9:38:59 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Apple
https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2017/04/13/2-reasons-why-apple-isnt-buying-disney.aspx
This article makes it sound like the whole Apple/Disney thing was never really that close to happening anyway and gives fairly good reasons why I won't ever happen, including taking a long time to gain approval, even with the lax government regulations we have going on right now. Also, that it's entirely possible that Apple, as big as they are, can't even afford to buy Disney. Honestly, at $270 Billion, I'm speculative about who might be able to afford them. I'd imagine the list is impossibly small.
mhhf1ve
5/1/2017 7:08:42 PM
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Re: Apple
> "Apple, as big as they are, can't even afford to buy Disney."
Hmm. Disney's market cap is only $180B.. and Apple has just over $250B in cash reserves (overseas, though). So it's *possible* -- but it's just not likely that Apple would spend that much just to be distracted on how to absorb just a large entity with its own way of doing things.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/05/01/apples-cash-reserves-swell-250bn/
dlr5288
4/30/2017 4:03:12 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Apple
I agree! I think both Apple and Disney have made great advancements. However, in this particular field I think you're right. I don't think there's really much that Apple would be able to do.
JohnBarnes
4/30/2017 5:00:13 PM
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Re: Apple
Just mentioning the public interest in a quaint old-fashioned way:
Disney has some of the most sophisticated AI on the planet, much of it confidential, for predicting and estimating audience response, which, because they are ultimately in the business of selling access to entertainment, they presumably use in developing things people will want to see/hear, and in shaping their marketing so that people come in wanting to see/hear that.
Within the gray world of advanced proprietary market research, Apple appears to be leading the pack in methods for tracking, moment to moment and in detail, actual consumer response to products and services.
Put those together, and you have a fearsome engine for giving people exactly what they want, which may sound good, except, frankly, look at our species. Yes, to some extent we'd vote with our wallets to be steered toward being kinder and more tolerant, because many of us want to be that. On the other hand, we'd also vote for being self-satisfied with our present state of education, complacent about difficult or time-consuming problems, and in short ...
The circus could well become so good that we forget about any shortage of bread.
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