Roger Fingas
CBS is no longer in talks with Apple regarding the latter's frequently-rumored streaming TV service, the network's CEO admitted in a recent interview.
"We had conversations awhile back, and we haven't had recent conversations with them," Les Moonves remarked to CNNMoney. This is despite the network being regularly contacted by other tech firms looking to partner on content.
Moonves noted that he also had no idea when Apple might launch a service. "You'll have to ask Apple that. I don't know that," he said.
In December Moonves suggested that Apple had "pressed the hold button" on a streaming TV service, a view that was echoed by later reports. The main obstacle was allegedly Apple's insistence on a "skinny" channel bundle costing less than $30 per month, and the unwillingness of content providers to leave some channels out.
More recent rumors have hinted that the project is still alive, and that Apple may even be preparing to offer original TV shows in a package that could arrive as soon as September. Subscribers might be able to watch live NFL games as well, assuming Apple successfully bids for the rights.
A streaming service was at one point rumored to launch alongside the fourth-generation Apple TV as a flagship feature. In the interim, Apple has been looking to spur content providers into producing tvOS apps.
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28 Comments
CBS is a joke. They want you you to pay for Total Access even when you have it thru your TV subscribers. ACC, NBC or Fox allow you to stream free if you've already had it with your cable. Fuck CBS.
Wither on the vine...when they are the last one to the party, the stakes will rise.
This crap is getting old.
Apple should launch their service soon in my opinion.
If there are still one or two holdouts, then I say screw them. It will end up being the holdout's loss, and they will eventually come on board I think, because if Apple releases an entire package without CBS for example, but everybody else is there, then who cares. Launch without them.
Apple's package will be very successful if the basic selection is good, and eventually, any few holdouts will be begging to be a part of it probably.
I really hope some or all of these dated content providers really take it in the shorts when all of this evolves to something better for the consumer. I am still holding out hope that it will happen soon.