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Jason Sudeikis wins second Golden Globe in a row for Ted Lasso

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For the second year in a row, Jason Sudeikis won a best actor Golden Globe for his title role in Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.
For the second year in a row, Jason Sudeikis won a best actor Golden Globe for his title role in Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

In 2021, Jason Sudeikis won the first-ever Golden Globe for Apple TV+. On Sunday night he repeated, again winning the Best Television Actor in a musical or comedy award for his leading role in the streaming service’s comedy hit Ted Lasso.

And just like in 2021, Sudeikis’ win was the only one for Apple TV+, despite a handful of other nominations.

Join the Night’s Watch in Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows on Apple Arcade

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Try too pretend Season 8 didn’t happen in ‘Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows’
Return to the world of Game of Thrones in a new game for Mac, iPhone and Apple TV.
Photo: HBO

Travel to before the events of HBO’s hit series in Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows, a new game released Friday on Apple Arcade.

Explore the history of the Night’s Watch in this narrative-driven, real-time idle game that extends beyond the TV series. Become the shield that guards the realms of men, the sword in the darkness and the enduring sentry upon the Wall.

NBCUniversal streamer Peacock comes early to Comcast customers

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peacock
Peacock is ready to take on Netflix and Apple TV+.
Photo: NBCUniversal

Comcast is jumping into the streaming wars this week with an early preview of Peacock that gives customers access to over 15,000 hours of movies and TV shows from NBCUniversal. Peacock isn’t set to launch to the public until July, but if you’re an Xfinity X1 or Flex customer, you can get a taste of service starting on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

HBO lengthens support for older Apple TV streaming devices until May 15

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HBO-Now
2nd and 3rd gen Apple TV users have a little more time to find options to watch HBO.
Photo: HBO

HBO reversed its plans Friday to drop support for second- and third-generation Apple TV units saying it would extend its policy until May 15.

In a comment to Cult of Mac, the company said it would continue support for the older devices “a few additional months.”

HBO Go, HBO Now drop support for older Apple TV models this month

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HBO-Now
There is another way to enjoy HBO services on Apple TV, however.
Photo: HBO

HBO on Wednesday confirmed its HBO Go and HBO Now services will drop support for second- and third-generation Apple TV units this month. Users will no longer be able to stream starting April 30.

The change is being made “in order to provide the best streaming experience,” the company said. There are other ways to enjoy these services on older Apple TV boxes, however.

HBO unlocks 500 hours of free content, but not Game of Thrones

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You'll have to subscribe to HBO Now to see Game of Thrones.
You'll have to subscribe to HBO Now to see Game of Thrones.
Photo: HBO

HBO is joining the wave of companies that are offering free access to their content to placate everyone sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting on April 3, the HBO Now and HBO Go apps will offer freebies to anyone the doesn’t already have a paid subscription. The trove of over 500 hours of free content includes all seasons of The Sopranos, Silicon Valley, The Wire and Ballers. But if you’re hoping to finally catch up Game of Thrones for free, you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Former Starz boss signs exclusive deal for Apple TV+

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zlotnik
Apple nabbed another industry vet in Carmi Zlotnik.
Photo: Apple

Carmi Zlotnik, the former Starz president of programming, is teaming up with Apple TV+.

Zlotnik has reportedly inked an exclusive producer deal with Apple just days after it was revealed that he’s stepping down from Starz’s top role.

Former HBO chief signs five-year producer deal with Apple TV+

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file photo of former HBO chief Richard Plepler
Former HBO CEO Richard Plepler, right, in 2012 with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Photo: Ander Krusberg/ Peabody Awards

Forner HBO chief executive Richard Plepler has signed a five-year deal with Apple to make original feature films, documentaries and television series for Apple TV Plus.

Plepler was at HBO for 27 years and played important roles in the rise of original programming at the network.

The Morning Show continues to shine with Golden Globe nominations

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Apple_The-Morning-Show-Premiere_Jennifer-Aniston-Reese-Whiterspoon_102819
Shows like The Morning Show have been hits. But Apple has to build them from the ground-up.
Photo: Apple

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association today revealed that Apple original The Morning Show has been nominated for multiple Golden Globes, including best television drama series.

The news comes hours after the Critics’ Choice Awards nominated Billy Crudup, who plays Cory Ellison in The Morning Show, as the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Ex head of HBO might bring the next Game of Thrones to Apple TV+

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apple tv
Having the former head of HBO making shows for Apple TV+ could be a big win.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Richard Plepler, who led HBO for almost three decades, is reportedly teaming up with Apple. He’s not joining the iPhone maker, but his production company will create content for Apple TV+.

If a deal goes through, the man who greenlit Game of Thrones would be developing shows for Apple.

Apple taps Chernobyl star as lead in Foundation adaptation

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Jared-harris
Harris' role Chernobyl was some of the best acting of 2019.
Photo: HBO

Apple has landed deals with Lee Pace and Jared Harris that will see the two actors star in the upcoming TV adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s novel Foundation.

The project got off to a rocky start earlier this year when co-showrunner Josh Friedman stepped down to go help James Cameron write the Avatar sequels. David S. Goyer has taken over as the lone showrunner and writer of the series which finally has some serious acting chops behind it too.

Apple launches in-house studio with Band of Brothers follow-up

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Bandofbrothers
The best WWII mini-series is getting another sequel.
Photo: HBO

Apple is launching its own in-house studio and teaming up with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks to create the first series that it will own full rights to.

The new limited series, titled Masters of the Air, will be a follow-up to HBO’s successful series Band of Brothers and The Pacific.

AT&T gives free Spotify Premium to unlimited subscribers

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Spotify discover weekly, daily mix, playlists, and sharing features
This should help Spotify grow its subscriber base.
Photo: Ian Fuchs

AT&T is ready to sweeten the deal for some of its monthly subscribers by offering free Spotify premium as of its new entertainment perks.

The carrier revealed its new entertainment perks today that also gives customers the option to choose HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz or Pandora as their free entertainment options. Even if you don’t have a qualifying wireless plan, you can still get some other Spotify perks.

HBO Max taps Friends to take on Apple TV+

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HBO Max
Anyone who enjoys binging Friends episodes better learn this name.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The already crowded market for streaming video services is getting a little more so. WarnerMedia just unveiled HBO Max, which will include original programs as well as shows created for The WB like Batwoman. Most notably, this will be the only place to watch Friends re-runs.

It will face competition from Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and many more.

AT&T boss suggests Apple will share TV viewer data

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apple tv
How much data will TV channels receive from Apple?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

One of the big threads running through Apple’s Monday keynote was the company’s insistence on user privacy. Apple would not, it suggests, share data with companies for Apple Card or Apple News+.

The new Apple TV channels, however, could be a little different. At least, according to an interview with AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson. Speaking at the Fintech Ideas Festival, Stephenson included Apple when talking about customer data analytics in HBO’s digital distribution deals. HBO is a division of AT&T’s WarnerMedia.

5 Apple original shows finish filming ahead of March 25 event

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Apple TV Siri Remote
But they won't be ready for streaming for a while.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Five of Apple’s original TV shows have now finished filming, according to a new report. They have entered post-production ahead of the company’s March 25 event, but they’re not expected to be available until the fall.

Apple is said to be working on around six other shows that are still in production. The company is also developing lots more original content that is planned to debut in 2020.

Apple rushes to add HBO and Showtime to streaming service

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Apple TV service facing competition
The Apple TV service will reportedly have movies and shows from other big-name companies.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple has created numerous shows for its streaming TV service, but is reportedly also negotiating deals to bring in content from other sources, including HBO and Showtime.

This should help the Apple TV service compete against established rivals, especially Netflix.

Apple inks movie deal with Oscar-winning indie studio

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mid90s cast
The cast of A24's latest movie, mid90s
Photo: A24

One of the hottest indie movie studios in Hollywood is joining forces with Apple to make a series of movies.

A24, the studio behind the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, has inked a multi-year deal to produce a slate of films, in what is the first major movie deal for Apple.

Apple plans to give away its $1 billion TV shows

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Apple TV
Apple is loading up with original content.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new TV streaming service will allegedly debut in early 2019 — and all those original Apple TV shows won’t cost customers anything, according to a recent report.

Despite planning to spend more than $1 billion on original content this year, Apple will supposedly give away its original content to customers that already own an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.

AT&T Time Warner jumps on streaming bandwagon

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AT&T logo
AT&T wants a piece of the TV streaming market.
Photo: Luismt94/Wikipedia CC

Netflix is about to get some new competition in the streaming wars from the same company that owns one of its biggest rivals, HBO.

AT&T Time Warner revealed today that the company is planning to build and launch a new video streaming service that will offer TV shows, films, libraries, documentaries and animation.

Microsoft plans to take on iPhone with folding dual screen Surface

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Microsoft Andromeda
Microsoft's pocketable device might look something like this.
Photo: David Breyer

The iPhone might be about to get some fresh competition from Apple’s oldest rival in the tech scene.

Microsoft has reportedly been working on a mysterious new Surface device codenamed Andromeda. The device has supposedly been in development for the last two years and features a dual-display design that can fold to fit into your pocket.

Apple inks deal for kids’ shows with Sesame Workshop

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Sesame Workshop
Apple is going to get its own puppet show.
Photo: Sesame Workshop

Apple is getting its own kids’ TV series with talking puppets.

The iPhone-maker and Sesame Workshop have reportedly inked a deal that will bring a slate of new kids’ programming to the company’s worldwide video project. But don’t expect to see Big Bird and the Sesame Street gang.

J.J. Abrams and Sara Bareilles team up Apple musical dramedy

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JJ Abrams
Jony Ive's buddy J.J. Abrams is going to make a TV show for Apple.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Wikipedia CC

Apple has tapped J.J. Abrams to executive produce its latest straight-to-series order for the half-hour dramedy show called Little Voices.

Abrams’ and Apple have reportedly discussed working together on a number of his projects in the past. This is the first Apple has been able to ink a deal with J.J., but considering his close ties to Jony Ive, we’re surprised it took this long.