“Apple is offering to share data with programming partners to get them on board with its cable-like TV network package, The Post has learned,” Claire Atkinson reports for The New York Post. “The company is willing to share details on who its viewers are, what they watch and when they watch it to entice broadcast networks and others to go along with the service, sources said. The information could help programmers better target shows to viewers and advertisers, who are increasingly chasing niche audiences.”
“Apple, which is known for tightly controlling its ecosystem, is taking a more hands-off approach with programmers, such as letting them decide whether they want to air ads,” Atkinson reports. “By dangling the ‘data carrot,’ Apple is offering something that traditional cable companies, Amazon and Netflix have refused to hand over to programmers.”
“Apple is said to be prepared to write the checks to get deals done quickly, in time for a fall launch, although its doesn’t have anything in writing just yet,” Atkinson reports. “The programming fees under discussion are said to be on par with what cable operators pay on a monthly per-subscriber basis.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Given Tim Cook’s outspoken and very consistent comments regarding users’ privacy, we’re going to assume that users of Apple’s Internet TV service will be allowed to opt-out or remain anonymous.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Bill” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Apple CEO Cook: Unlike some other companies, Apple won’t invade your right to privacy – March 2, 2015
Apple CEO Tim Cook advocates privacy, says terrorists should be ‘eliminated’ – February 27, 2015
UK prime minister Cameron demands backdoors into messaging apps or he’ll ban them – January 13, 2015
Apple’s iPhone encryption is a godsend, even if government snoops and cops hate it – October 8, 2014
Short-timer U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder blasts Apple for protecting users’ privacy against government overreach – September 30, 2014
What if Osama bin Laden had an iPhone? – September 26, 2014
FBI blasts Apple for protective users’ privacy by locking government, police out of iPhones and iPads – September 25, 2014
Apple thinks different about privacy – September 23, 2014
Apple’s iOS Activation Lock reduces iPhone thefts, Samsung phone thefts skyrocket – September 18, 2014
Apple CEO Tim Cook ups privacy to new level, takes direct swipe at Google – September 18, 2014
Apple will no longer unlock most iPhones, iPads for government, police – even with search warrants – September 18, 2014
Would you trade privacy for national security? Most Americans wouldn’t – August 6, 2014
Apple begins encrypting iCloud email sent between providers – July 15, 2014
Obama administration demands master encryption keys from firms in order to conduct electronic surveillance against Internet users – July 24, 2013
U.S. NSA seeks to build quantum computer to crack most types of encryption – January 3, 2014
Apple’s iMessage encryption trips up U.S. feds’ surveillance – April 4, 2013
I think I will probably take a pass on this from what I know so far.
Apple, why are you now following Google?!?!?!?
Well, it’s not exactly the same as Google. Apple aren’t themselves exactly ‘selling’ the user as the product. This is data the media providers want in order to maximize their marketing data and ad targeting. But the effect is the same I suppose.
MDN’s take was my thought as well.
The networks aren’t going to provide their signals without getting ratings information (particularly, how many TVs are watching each show and how many of the viewers are in the critical demographic for advertisers). Without that information, they can’t sell commercials. So, unless Apple was willing to provide at least that much anonymized user data, this would clearly be an impossible deal. They are still going to have to get past the exclusivity clauses in their agreements with the local affiliate stations, but that is another issue.
dont know how anonymization works, but I’m guessing networks could just get your IP address for your identity. Maybe Apple would pipe your app’s data thru a sterile washroom midway in the network for anonymity. I prefer rabbit ear televisions.
I’m ok with sex, age, time watched, etc.,
But not my name, phone, email, address or any financial ID.
Total agreement. I wonder if web browser cookies will be involved.
Commercials? No. Not going for it.
Then don’t expect to watch network television.
Wh would I want to watch network TV? Hawaii 50? Shark Tank? American Idol? Pulleeeze!
American Idol? Is that a documentary?
More like an unintended mockumentary.
50 Shades of Google, huh Apple?
By dangling the ‘data carrot…
Gotta keep the marketing departments happy! (o_O) I suppose it also provides them with the equivalent of a Nielsen rating system, albeit without the benefit of third party data gathering and analysis. I wonder what Nielsen will do with themselves after the à la carte revolution.