Mikey Campbell
Citing stalled talks with media companies and cable providers hesitant to let Apple get a foothold in the industry, the source told Bloomberg that no new TV-centric products will be coming out of Cupertino this year.
A report in August claimed Apple was in discussions with major cable operators to let consumers use a branded set-top box to view both live television and internet-based content. Key to the alleged product's success would be advanced cloud-based DVR capabilities that some say will blur the line between live and on-demand content. In particular, Apple is looking to store DVR content in the cloud, allowing users to start any show at any time.
According to people familiar with the ongoing negotiations, one of the main points of contention is control over the rumored device's user interface, which insiders say will use iOS icons similar to the current internet-connected Apple TV, rather than the much-maligned UIs seen on existing cable boxes. Apple is said to be making some progress with Time Warner Cable, though any proposed deal is far from being finalized.
“Unlike other distributors, we are not religiously wedded to absolutely controlling the user interface," said Time Warner COO Robert Marcus of the operator's existing UIs. He didn't specifically comment on Apple's plans.
Apple's current Apple TV is limited to streaming content. | Source: Apple
Entering the cable and broadcast TV markets is a tall order given established industry players don't want to see their power eroded by tech companies like Apple. In addition to friction with cable TV operators, Apple must convince cable subscribers to purchase a box directly instead of renting it from their provider. A similar tack was taken by TiVo, the third-party DVR with limited internet streaming capabilities that stores content on-site, but the device wasn't part of an integrated system and has seen limited success.
Apple is said to be focusing on cable operators that would allow access to live content without requiring new content agreements. This may prove a challenge since most media belongs to content providers, meaning Apple would need to negotiate with those companies separately. The company may be willing to make concessions, however, as another source said Apple is also investigating leasing the boxes through cable companies in place of the devices currently on offer.
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22 Comments
Apple thinking that they can negotiate with cable companies is like Obama thinking that he can negotiate with republicans -- it ain't going to happen. the cable companies have a stranglehold on most people that they think is unbreakable. Apple needs to attack them from a different angle, which actually is what apple is doing with the existing apple tv product. But apple needs to step it up -- add apps to the apple tv and market the apple tv. I've already given up cable tv altogether and rely totally on appleTV and other Internet sources for my "tv" entertainment. I suspect that there are a lot of other people who would be happy doing the same thing if they only better understood the options.
[quote name="Blastdoor" url="/t/152359/apples-rumored-set-top-cable-box-wont-make-2012-debut-report-says#post_2183475"]Apple thinking that they can negotiate with cable companies is like Obama thinking that he can negotiate with republicans -- it ain't going to happen.[/quote] "Change" lol
[quote name="Blastdoor" url="/t/152359/apples-rumored-set-top-cable-box-wont-make-2012-debut-report-says#post_2183475"]Apple thinking that they can negotiate with cable companies is like Obama thinking that he can negotiate with republicans -- it ain't going to happen. the cable companies have a stranglehold on most people that they think is unbreakable. Apple needs to attack them from a different angle, which actually is what apple is doing with the existing apple tv product. But apple needs to step it up -- add apps to the apple tv and market the apple tv. I've already given up cable tv altogether and rely totally on appleTV and other Internet sources for my "tv" entertainment. I suspect that there are a lot of other people who would be happy doing the same thing if they only better understood the options.[/quote] We did the same thing a year ago and have actually enjoyed TV far more. The one bad thing for me is that the cable companies insist on a fully fledged cable contract to allow streaming of such things as the Olympics or CNN Live for example. As we move ever close to the time when all TV is via the Internet and on demand the cable companies have to start thinking about one off add on packages an Internet only client can purchase rather than insisting on a full cable TV contract. As a FiOS internet only customer now, to be able to watch the Olympics while on vacation Verizon wanted to send technician to hook up TV at our home even though I explained I just wanted to have the service on the intent for our iPads while away from home. There was no service we could pay for that didn't include not hooking up the TV again, the very thing we'd chosen to give up a year ago. The obvious solution was for NBC to have contracted with a company like Netflix or Apple. I would have happily paid a one off fee for the access just as some sports packages are available on Apple TV.
[quote name="digitalclips" url="/t/152359/apples-rumored-set-top-cable-box-wont-make-2012-debut-report-says#post_2183503"] We did the same thing a year ago and have actually enjoyed TV far more. The one bad thing for me is that the cable companies insist on a fully fledged cable contract to allow streaming of such things as the Olympics or CNN Live for example. As we move ever close to the time when all TV is via the Internet and on demand the cable companies have to start thinking about one off add on packages an Internet only client can purchase rather than insisting on a full cable TV contract. As a FiOS internet only customer now, to be able to watch the Olympics while on vacation Verizon wanted to send technician to hook up TV at our home even though I explained I just wanted to have the service on the intent for our iPads while away from home. There was no service we could pay for that didn't include not hooking up the TV again, the very thing we'd chosen to give up a year ago. The obvious solution was for NBC to have contracted with a company like Netflix or Apple. I would have happily paid a one off fee for the access just as some sports packages are available on Apple TV.[/quote] If the coaxial cables were still hooked up and your TV had a digital tuner you could watch the network channels for free.
It sounds like I am in the same boat as a few of you. We dumped cable TV about 3 years ago and use a combination of Netflix and an over the air antenna for our TV needs. We have a DVR setup on our iMac to record network shows that we want. It works well for us.
I would like to see the networks and cable companies open their eyes and realize that their old model is not going to work in the very near future. I am not sure that Apple's solution is the right one, but I feel strongly that the current model is dying before our eyes.