TV executives are lining up for a chance to possibly ink a deal for Apple’s new streaming TV service, but if you were hoping to ditch cable right after WWDC, you’ll have to keep waiting.
Apple’s new streaming TV service won’t launch at WWDC according to Recode who has talked to “several people with knowledge of the situation.” The big unveiling might not even happen this year. Network executives who have been briefed on the company’s plans say the announcement has been postponed until later this year, or in 2016.
Licensing deals appear to be the big hold up CBS CEO Les Moonves said last week that he’ll ‘probably’ sign a deal for the service, but inking local TV stations has been a bigger challenge that even Apple can’t overcome in time for WWDC.
A fall launch for the new service was initially scheduled to coincide with the new broadcast TV season, but negotiations over financial terms and the new technology required to deliver local programming to the Apple Web TV service have bogged down the process. Apple wants to use local TV stations to distinguish itself from competitors like Sling which was launched earlier this year. However, if Apple doesn’t get a product out soon its going to distinguish itself by having the weakest lineup of all the smart TV boxes.
Source: Recode
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
3 responses to “Apple Web TV service won’t launch at WWDC”
Personally, I think local TV should be so,etching they add in a software upgrade…IF we even want it. Mpersonallynimdont care for it. It could take an eternity to hammer out retransmission agreements with every local station.
I’m read for Apple to offer me a package that will let me pick x channels for y dollars. I have to deal with hundreds of channels I don’t watch and don’t need to get the 20 I do and even then some channels I can’t get (MASN). I have to then pay for digital phone (which I don’t need) to get bundle prices that are no deal. I’m forced as “Loyal” customer for over a decade to fight for better prices or leave and come back to get better prices. The issue is their is no real alternative (Google Fiber is not coming all the way to me). Hurry up Apple!