The widely anticipated television set from Apple could offer Internet based content subscriptions, and customized channel lineups. One hurdle: Apple must negotiate unique content deals that will allow the company to differentiate its product from other televisions on the market.
AppleInsider scribe Neil Hughes writes:
Customized programming is said to be one of Apple’s most desired features for its rumored television set, according to analyst Shaw Wu with Sterne Agee. In Apple’s vision, customers would choose whichever channels or shows they want for a monthly subscription fee.
“This is obviously much more complicated (than current offerings) from a licensing standpoint,” Wu wrote in a note to investors on Wednesday. “And in our view, would change the game for television and give AAPL a big leg-up against the competition.”
“Today, iTunes has a rich library of movies and TV shows but it is mostly for downloads and only movies are available for rentals (TV shows once were but were terminated in August 2011),” Wu wrote. “What’s missing is live broadcast television.”
One way for Apple to offer this is to integrate with a cable or satellite provider, but the more revolutionary way? Deliver the content via the Internet or IPTV. This would be more in line with the iTunes and iCloud services the company already offers.
Hughes continues, “Wu previously noted in October that Apple’s plans to build an HDTV have been held up by content providers who are reluctant to allow Apple to offer subscription-based plans to customers. Rumors of an Apple-built HDTV began to pick up steam earlier this year, when it was revealed that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs told his biographer that he had ‘cracked’ the secret to building an integrated, easy-to-use television set. He said the device ‘will have the simplest user interface you could imagine.'”
Rumors point to a 2012 launch of an Apple television, one that could have Siri technology built in.
