Tim Cook says Apple is interested in both content creation and ownership

In typically vague fashion, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook evaded questions and offered little in the way of details during his company's quarterly earnings conference call on Tuesday. But his comments on original content could fuel speculation that Apple plans to make more original content or perhaps acquire a high-profile content maker.

At the moment, Apple is working on some limited original content, such as the "Planet of the Apps" documentary series coming to Apple Music. And the company has also inked exclusive deals, most notably with Drake, for exclusive content.

In one context, Cook's comments on Tuesday could simply reflect those moves the company has already made.

But behind the scenes, Apple is said to have expressed interest in doing much more. And in that light, Cook's admission that Apple is interested in "content creation and ownership" could fuel speculation.

Notably, Apple is said to have considered a buyout of Time Warner in 2015. It was said that iTunes chief Eddy Cue and Time Warner officials held preliminary conversations, but they never progressed much further.

Apple is also said to be working on its first-ever scripted series, "Vital Signs," starring company executive Dr. Dre. And the iPhone maker also bought the rights to James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke" earlier this year.

21 Comments

ireland 17436 comments · 18 Years

About 8 years ago

Big picture the Apple Music efforts thus far are non-existent. They are fun little additions to Apple Music, but not the reason people subscribe. An apps documentary coming to a music service? I don't get it. Apple, please acquire Netflix. They understand new content like no one else and have the best distribution channel in the business. Take 1/4 of your war chest and solve this problem and give Apple TV the one thing it's missing.

Tart apple. 1 comment · 8 Years

I'm not a big Tim Cook fan. He is slowly running aapl into the ground through sure bordom and lack of vision. Innovate or go to the Kodak graveyard. Even IBM is attempting to innovate in different arenas such as the cloud and still their employees have a thick layer of dust. If innovation is a bad watch then may I remind apple that once the pet rock sold millions but was soon forgotten by the chia pet and the clapper. Yes I hAve an apple computer I like it, but even there the keyboard is annoying.

Timmy, innovate or resign and if you truly have no ideas because you are too busy shaking your ass around political views and promoting life styles, may I suggest a M&A maybe snap chat or anything. Don't be the pink version of Balmer, accounting is not innovation. Jobs was a visionary, with ideas that were way ahead of the curve. Today's apple is like watching milk slowly sour. Now go do something, anything, good luck.

anantksundaram 20391 comments · 18 Years

Content creation or acquisition would be a ridiculous move for Apple, IMHO. It is completely outside the domain of its expertise. The day something like a Time Warner happens -- if it ever does -- is the day that I sell my AAPL holdings.

I think Eddie Cue should go if he pursues this kind of nonsense.

I think AI is misinterpreting -- or interpreting too broadly -- Cook's comments.

Tart apple. said:

I'm not a big Tim Cook fan. He is slowly running aapl into the ground through sure bordom and lack of vision. Innovate or go to the Kodak graveyard. Even IBM is attempting to innovate in different arenas such as the cloud and still their employees have a thick layer of dust. If innovation is a bad watch then may I remind apple that once the pet rock sold millions but was soon forgotten by the chia pet and the clapper. Yes I hAve an apple computer I like it, but even there the keyboard is annoying.

Timmy, innovate or resign and if you truly have no ideas because you are too busy shaking your ass around political views and promoting life styles, may I suggest a M&A maybe snap chat or anything. Don't be the pink version of Balmer, accounting is not innovation. Jobs was a visionary, with ideas that were way ahead of the curve. Today's apple is like watching milk slowly sour. Now go do something, anything, good luck.

Let's not turn AI into MR. The pink version of Balmer? Really? Apple makes great products and all of their recent OS releases have been the most solid releases in years—literally. They weren't first to market in smart watches but theirs is the best and they are the clear market leader. Their tablets are clearly the best out there. MS are taking a different tact and making a combi device, but I do feel doing so gives the user the worst of both worlds. You may get PS on a tablet, but it's an awful touch experience. And when PS is made to work properly with touch it'll be on iPad with a touch-first UI. Best AIO, best laptops and so forth.

There was only one Steve Jobs, but Tim is doing a fine job IMO. Fended off the FBI, looking after Mother Earth, socially conscious, hires good people, focused. I can't name a single person I'd imagine who'd run Apple better.

daven 722 comments · 16 Years

ireland said:

Big picture the Apple Music efforts thus far are non-existent. They are fun little additions to Apple Music, but not the reason people subscribe. An apps documentary coming to a music service? I don't get it. Apple, please acquire Netflix. They understand new content like no one else and have the best distribution channel in the business. Take 1/4 of your war chest and solve this problem and give Apple TV the one thing it's missing.

I don't get why people want Apple to buy Netflix. Why not just create a monthly rental option in iTunes that has many of the same viewing options as Netflix or Amazon Prime? It would cut in to iTunes daily rentals but maybe not as much as one would expect as a lot of people,just watch a movie on their Netflix account if it is available.