“If it’s true that Apple is aiming for ‘family-friendly’ material across most of its Apple TV+ shows, it may be fighting the streaming video wars with one arm tied behind its back,” Roger Fingas writes for AppleInsider.
“There have been multiple reports of Apple wielding a heavy hand in content, insisting that creators stay within certain bounds when it comes to sex and violence. Even CEO Tim Cook has become involved, despite no experience in film or TV, supposedly writing things like ‘don’t be so mean!’ in notes,” Fingas writes. “The company is additionally said to be putting the kibosh on storylines that criticize technology, so there’ll be no equivalent of ‘Black Mirror,’ regardless of the artistic views of writers and directors.”
“The obvious reference point is HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ now in its final season. The show sometimes features graphic sex and violence, enough that even fans can be disgusted. Yet it’s arguably the most popular TV show in the world, a huge moneymaker with tons of merchandise, cultural landmarks, and upcoming spinoffs. Other ‘mean’ shows are institutions too — ‘The Walking Dead’ for instance, and yes, ‘Black Mirror,'” Fingas writes. “Apple’s policies simply fly in the face of broader trends in the TV industry, which is a problem when you’re asking people to pay a monthly fee.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re not convinced the reports of Apple brass giving notes, etc. are firmly rooted in fact. Hollywood is notorious for using the media to negotiate, for revenge, etc.
Apple has purchased an adaptation of an Israeli show called “Nevelot,” which translates directly to “Bastards,” that features violence and adult themes.
There’s nothing like two vets going on a millennial killing spree to nuke the idea that Apple is only pursuing milquetoast family fare. — MacDailyNews, December 6, 2018
In March, Howard Gordon, showrunner for the hit TV show “24,” co-creator of ‘Homeland,” and who sold “Nevelot” to Apple said of the company’s executives, “They were fairly adamant that it would not be a problem.”
Mark our words: Apple TV+ has the makings of a hit service written all over it.
SEE ALSO:
Danielle DePalma joins Apple as film and TV series marketing executive – April 19, 2019
Apple hires Molly Thompson has Head of Documentaries for Apple TV+ – April 15, 2019
Innovation isn’t required for Apple TV+ to become a big hit – April 9, 2019
Captain Marvel star Brie Larson to star in, executive produce Apple original CIA drama series – March 7, 2019
Apple’s original content production reportedly marred by ‘intrusive’ execs, including Tim Cook – March 4, 2019
Barry Diller: Apple ‘prancing around’ Hollywood, but those who chase Netflix are fools; no one can get to Netflix’s level of subscribers – February 19, 2019
Jefferies: Apple’s streaming video service may not help reaccelerate growth – February 15, 2019
Apple likely to unveil TV streaming service at star-studded event on March 25th – February 15, 2019
Apple is targeting April to launch its new video service – February 13, 2019
Apple to hold special media event on March 25th – February 12, 2019
Apple close to inking deal for Richard Gere to star in remake of Israeli series ‘Nevelot’ – December 6, 2018
Apple seeks TV success on its own terms with little or no sex, violence, or politics – September 22, 2018
Apple orders a sitcom from ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ creators – August 10, 2018
TV series based on Min Jin Lee’s ‘Pachinko’ in the works at Apple – August 8, 2018
Apple announces multi-year partnership with Oprah Winfrey – June 15, 2018
Apple inks content deal with Oprah Winfrey – June 15, 2018
Apple’s original content is further along than you think with 16 new shows in the works – June 15, 2018
Apple is close to a deal for an animated feature film – June 14, 2018
Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul join Apple’s upcoming drama ‘Are You Sleeping?’ – June 14, 2018
Apple nabs creative development executive Layne Eskridge from Netflix – June 12, 2018
Apple hires Broadway Video’s Kelly Costello as business affairs executive – June 12, 2018
‘Master’s of Sex’ star Lizzy Caplan joins cast of upcoming Apple series ‘Are You Sleeping’ – June 7, 2018
Apple TV: The underestimated story – June 5, 2018
‘Once Upon a Time’ co-creators sign on as showrunners for Steven Spielberg ‘Amazing Stories’ reboot for Apple – May 22, 2018
Apple inks deal for Isaac Asimov ‘Foundation’ TV series – April 10, 2018
Apple aiming original TV series launches for spring or summer 2019 – March 26, 2018
Is this Apple’s plan for Apple TV? – March 22, 2018
Apple orders animated comedy ‘Central Park’ from ‘Bob’s Burgers’ creator Loren Bouchard – March 12, 2018
Apple hires Carol Trussell as Head Of Production for Worldwide Video Programming division – February 22, 2018
Apple’s TV tactics: Can Cupertino figure out the television formula? – January 16, 2018
Apple orders ‘See’ series, a futuristic drama from ‘Hunger Games’ director – January 10, 2018
Life after iTunes: Apple’s big media challenge – January 9, 2018
Apple developing new original drama ‘Are You Sleeping’ starring Octavia Spencer – January 3, 2018
Three more Amazon Studios executives move to Apple – December 26, 2017
Apple orders space drama series from ‘Battlestar Galactica’ producer Ronald D. Moore – December 15, 2017
Apple gives Jennifer Aniston-Reese Witherspoon series a 2-season order, confirms Spielberg’s ‘Amazing Stories’ reboot – November 9, 2017
Apple outbids Netflix for show starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon – November 8, 2017
Apple eyes iconic studio as base for Hollywood production push; vying with Netflix for high-profile Jennifer Aniston drama – September 1, 2017
The magic and misdirection of Apple’s streaming strategy – August 18, 2017
Apple wants to spend $1 billion on 10 original TV shows over the next year – August 16, 2017
Former WGN America president Matt Cherniss joins Apple in latest TV push – August 15, 2017
Rivals leaving Apple behind as Apple TV remains stuck in a test pattern – August 8, 2017
Apple’s so-called TV ‘strategy’ continues to be an embarrassing joke – June 30, 2017
Apple poaches Sony TV executives to lead major push into original content – June 16, 2017
Then I guess Disney’s recently announced streaming service is doomed.
In content other than the BBC or the Nordic region, Disney is number one by far. And I still think Apple is wasting it’s focus and time with content it is low low margin.
Exactly… I couldn’t disagree with “porn it up!” Any more than I can now. HBO, and wanna-be Netflix can go smut it up. I won’t buy Apple TV + (or ok dump it) if Apple goes that route.
Ever hear of parental controls?
They work for you also if it’s not your thing.
Do you subscribe to Apple Music?
If this is true about Tim Cook’s heavy hand on ‘clean’ and not mean content, he is the biggest hypocrite in the world given the lyrics on the most hyped and pushed genre of music on Apple Music
Porn ain’t healthy for parents either. And most of the time, sex is just added to suck you in. Look at YouTube thumbnails, for proof of that.
Neither is bacon. Both are legal. Want to abolish porn, or bacon, make a law.
And that’s as it should be, as long as people can get legal content elsewhere on their device. Which they can.
Sounds like of all the streaming services, the least appealing will be Apple’s. They definitely wouldn’t show stuff like the DC Comics network has been showing.
They’ve apparently got some new Oprah Interview series. Enough of Oprah. There are other far more interesting “black women.” How about Candace Owens?
Who????
The latest token negro.
Citizen ex, the whacky token commenter at MDN.
Another mindless wannabe CitizenX.
Please grow up and try to have an original thought.
You are a bad person. No-one needs to be original to see that.
waaahhhh… do you need a tissue?
“whacky token commenter” is WAY too kind sir. He is the long time village idiot around here and totally disrespectful of anyone that disagrees or challenges his posts as you recently found out.
History as a guide before he was banned for years, sure as the sun comes up, will not stop until he childishly has the last word. I guess to convince a deranged mind he actually won something. For example his response to you, “Another mindless wannabe CitizenX.” HA! 😂😂😂😂😂
Yup, prove positive of derangement syndrome. He is not worth one nano-second of my time and prefer intelligent repartee with others…
awwww is your boyfriend buttwipe back in siberia. feeling left out and still trying to find something to parrot snot gob.
you can go back to sleep now.
Do you mean the Candace Owens who told Congress that white nationalists aren’t a threat to anyone and that “Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, okay fine. The problem is he had dreams outside of Germany. He wanted to globalize.”
omg, txuser, that was really dishonest
REALLY bad. Candice is amazing and honest, and the smear on her continues, wow, how sad.
Nobody who supports Trump is amazing… the traitorous, half-senile liar-in-chief, completly surrounded by hypocrisy and corruption… well on the way to dismantling democracy in America while almost the whole of the Republican party support it all.
And don’t give me, “No collusion”. There was visible collusion everywhere. And then constant lying. Who lies unless they think they have done something wrong. The only question is whether it is CRIMINAL collusion.
If Obama or Clinton had done a hundredth of what this guy has pulled, they’d be run out of town. Even Nixon is a Sunday-school teacher compared to this piece of garbage.
sean, i’m just going to be blunt, you’re delusional. and your drivel is all visceral, no reason. this is the big problem with the USA, so many on the left side just throw stones. personally, i don’t think trump is a great human being, many don’t, he just happens to be the right person at the right time.
There was no collusion.
If there’s a record for “record shallowness” it is Sean. Low energy Sean, Fake News Sean.
watches solome throw stones. Laughs and laughs.
Please explain how quoting someone’s own words from a widely available unedited video is either “dishonest” or “a smear.” She said it, and I haven’t heard her apologize for it (as distinct from trying to explain it away).
Next you’ll be claiming that Our President never suggested that he could grab women by their genitals without facing consequences, or that he fired Comey because of “the Russia thing,” or that there are some Nazis and white supremicists who are good people. The truth hurts sometimes.
you mischaracterize her meaning which, to most, was obvious and, reasonable. partisans who desire so much to confirm their own bias do this sort of thing, by omission, mischaracterization, reshaping context, etc.
WOW TxUser…didn’t you see & hear her shred Ted Lieu about this lie you are spewing here on Mac Daily News?
Are you saying that she didn’t say exactly what I quoted? If she did, it is not a lie. Just because a fact is embarrassing to the President or his supporters does not make it fake news
Her face priceless! when that crap was played back to her…..
Of course, Candace Owens is infinitely more interesting than Oprah Winfrey, but she speaks far too much truth for a company led by deluded Dem/Lib/Progs. They’d never do it.
The only black people the Democrat Party love are those who blindly vote for them in lockstep. Democrats never have to actually do anything for them because the black vote is assured. Oh, wait, they also love black people who are dependent on them for a check.
Democrats do not like free-thinking black people. They will demonize them as if they were the love children of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. If black people ever woke up en masse, no Democrat could get elected dog catcher.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
In closing: Under President Trump, African-Americans, Latinos, and Asian-Americans have seen lowest unemployment rates ever recorded.
True, but…
https://www.factcheck.org/2018/01/trump-takes-undue-credit-black-unemployment/
Now Sparkles. Facts are inconvenient.
Don’t you know that if you climb 49 feet up a 50 foot ladder and jump the last foot, you can claim to have jumped 50 feet.
Where have you been?
I see ignorant truth never replied to facts.
Spare me. You don’t speak for me or for ‘black people’.
You don’t speak for black people either, Citdown X. You’re just another Jussie Smollet type- despicable and anti-black.
I see the rest of the brain trust is here.
Hey ignorant truth. Will my check from the Democrat Party (not even an effective insult) come with my check from Soros? I’n still waiting.
Oh wait . You are just blowing your ignorance out of your ass.
Soooo. ms owens claim to fame is to be a prop at a congressional hearing whereas Ms. Winfrey is a self made BILLIONAIRE.
Got it.
And for this weeks episode of “Spicy Vanilla” we have a particularly steamy episode. We will be discussing the subtleties of which is more appropriate… the landscape or portrait modes of the notch!
re Game of Thrones: “Yet it’s arguably the most popular TV show in the world”
Yes – and there are immense numbers of people who watch pornography.
Neither statement means Apple must include such programming to be successful.
Up arrow
I think if they don’t have something like that they are missing a huge opportunity .IF it all has to be prim & proper they need 2 channels then
I am concerned about Apple trying too hard to keep it squeaky clean. Let the market decide!
They clearly let the market decide when it comes to Apple Music, the most hyped and pushed genre of music on their service has the most egregious and offensive language on the planet, yet it creates a ton of revenue. Let the market decide.
Could not agree more…
Unless Apple spawns a major hit in its first year – it’s all over. I’m hedging against it. Would Apple have commissioned GoT? Not a chance. Yet that is what they need. A killer show.
Imagine how vanilla, politically correct, yet historically inaccurate an Apple GoT would be.
It’s quite probable that Apple TV streaming will be more biased and historically inaccurate then Apple News.
Historically inaccurate? Do you think Westeros is a real place?
The war of the roses TX, use what few brain cells you have and go and butter up your bosom buddy Shyttezen X
Another anonymous coward says something stupid.
War of the roses. Thankfully the dragons were able to defeat the icicles in the War of the Roses.
I particularly how impressed everyone was in history class at learning how Henry VII and his Dothraki horde marched onto Bosworth Field and conquered all while Richard III was offering to trade his kingdom for an Ice Giant.
I’ve been watching a lot of ‘historical’ fiction series on STARZ. The White Queen, The Spanish Princess, Pillars of the earth. Cool stuff. Most are set in the 13th, 14th, 15th century.
I always loved history. The Tudors on HBO was a good one.
And yes I know they are fiction, haters.
LOL… I’m sure rob does.
Apple has no idea how to run a broadcast media business. this will be a huge failure for them. They should have purchased Fox or someone else when they had the chance, and had them run it for them.
Anything good on Apple TV will be pirated heavily, as the apple tv apps are garbage, and watching it on an iphone is stupid. so the vast majority of the view public who own anything but an apptetv, and mostly PC media centers are not going to subscribe to this DOA walled garden.
This isn’t broadcast media.
it is. and if you can’t see that then you are dumb enough to pay for it.
Damn. I ‘broadcast’ grass seeds on my lawn. I broadcast across the street to have my kids go home.
I guess you really don’t understand what ‘broadcast’ means in this context.
Not my problem idiot. Go crawl back up your ass.
Broadcast media refers to primarily television and radio, although broadcasting companies have expanded to offer digital offerings including media streaming applications and other robust web-based offerings.
Whether you are intelligent enough to understand it or not the key to that prior paragraph relates to over the air broadcast. I guess in your simple mind, HULU is a broadcast company.
Idiot.