Apple Said to Plan Limited, Low-Cost Streaming Service

[LynneSin]

Apple Said to Plan Limited, Low-Cost Streaming Service
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/18/business/media/apple-said-to-plan-limited-low-cost-streaming-service.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Apple has held talks with a number of leading television groups to offer an Internet-based TV service for its iPhone, iPad and Apple TV set-top box, according to people briefed on the company’s plans.

The service, which could be announced later this year, would offer a bundle of channels that is smaller and cheaper than the bloated catalog of offerings in a typical cable subscription, said these people, who asked not to be named because the conversations were confidential and not completed.

The plan would potentially offer networks owned by the television groups Disney, Fox, CBS and Discovery, the people said Tuesday. That could include the broadcast networks ABC, CBS and Fox, along with a lineup of other cable networks, such as ESPN and Discovery Channel.

HBO’s Streaming Service Will Start in April, Initially on Apple Devices OnlyMARCH 9, 2015 Dish Network Unveils Sling TV, a Streaming Service to Rival Cable (and It Has ESPN)JAN. 5, 2015 The total number of networks to be offered is yet to be determined. Apple is not including all of the networks owned by each of the TV groups, signaling yet another fraying of the traditional cable bundle. No deal has been reached yet, the people said

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I'd like to see what they would have to offer if something like this was setup. It was 2 years ago that I ditched Cable TV - I couldn't figure out why I was paying $175 a month for all those TV channels along with the internet and phone (I have comcast). Now I'm down to $60 a month for Cable/phone along with another $25 a month for Netflix and Hulu subscription. So far I've been happy with the savings but I do miss not being able to watch some current events like the Oscars or sporting events (I can always go to a friend's house).

Here's the thing - I don't need 500 channels of garbage paying $125 a month for it (and more once the new subscriber price runs out after a year). But I'd be happy to pay just $30 a month for the few key channels I know I would like to watch (I'd ditch my Hulu supscription). Although I have an Apple TV, I'd like to see who else might be doing this other than Apple.

[tularetom]

1. Great idea but it won't mean squat without net neutrality

I expect Roku and/or Google to come out with something as well.

[olddots]

2. I wouldn't mind trying a one world aproach to living

but a one corporation aproach scares me .

[KamaAina]

3. Of course NBC isn't going to play ball

because Comcast views this as a threat.

[dembotoz]

9. my understanding per fcc nbc would have to play ball

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Good news, you don't need to miss the Oscars, get a digital antenna and get HD broadcast

channels for free. I currently have cable, but for less than a one time $50 outlay for the antenna, I could get ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS with multiple channels.
This link will let you enter your location and see what the airwaves have to grab....
http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/dtvmaps/

[LynneSin]

5. I tried that - in the city I couldn't get anything

Oh well

[TheNutcracker]

8. Get the LAVA for distance you have too much of for NBC!

http://www.tvantennasale.com/Lava-HD-2605-Ultra-Outdoor-TV-Antenna-p/lavahd2605ultra.htm

[trumad]

6. Won't pick up NBC in my city.

[PasadenaTrudy]

14. I always find

the Oscars streaming. No need for TV

[TheNutcracker]

7. Get a digital TV antenna to watch live broadcast TV ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and more.

I like the LAVA antenna. If you are in a condo or apt. you will need the window type. They work. Then you can watch the Oscars, and the rest of live broadcast TV.

[dembotoz]

10. not often are Apple and low cost used in the same sentence

won't hold my breath here either

[MohRokTah]

11. HBO has signed with Apple

https://www.apple.com/appletv/hbo-now/

This is the first nail in the coffin for that which was once called cable TV. Television is going to be strictly an ala carte service for internet streamed content.

[LynneSin]

15. I think it is the best way to go - let people buy what they want

Instead of assuming we want everything there is.

Trust me, TV show creators will think twice of some of the crap they put on TV!

[Auggie]

12. Yay! Competition!!!

[PasadenaTrudy]

13. I'm signing up for HBO Now

when it comes out next month. No TV in our house, just streaming services.