“The Cupertino, Calif., tech firm is making broadcast networks the centerpiece of its cable-killer TV app — and talks with all four networks are rapidly gaining momentum,” Claire Atkinson reports for The New York Post. “‘The platform is ready and it rocks,’ said one source.”
“Apple’s discussions with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox initially foundered over the tech giant’s desire to offer on the soon-to-launch service local live TV feeds streamed on any Apple device, sources said,” Atkinson reports. “But networks don’t control affiliate feeds. So Apple CEO Tim Cook’s team asked the networks to obtain those rights — instead of having Apple chase those rights around the country itself.”
“Now, it seems, Cook’s strategy is paying off, sources said. The networks are close to having the right to negotiate with Apple on behalf of their affiliates, the sources added,” Atkinson reports. “At Fox, the network ‘has the ability to negotiate with Apple [for affiliates], or it will have it very soon,’ a second executive added. Disney or CBS will likely sign the first deal with Apple to get the so-called skinny bundle off the ground — though a host of other hurdles remain, the sources suggest… Apple wants to launch the as-yet-unnamed product as soon as the late fall, sources said.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: What a morass to navigate!
SEE ALSO:
CBS CEO: We’re still in negotiations with Apple over new Internet TV service – May 27, 2015
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Bill” for the heads up.]