Apple TV: HBO, Showtime, Starz as Premium TV Bundle?
Apple might have a new premiere TV bundle offering HBO, Showtime and Starz cable television channels to viewers via Apple TV and iOS devices in the near future.
A source told Recode that Apple has approached the three cable networks about the possibility of combining their channels into a single paid package, much like how conventional TV operators market their channels.
Presently, Apple already sells each of these channels individually. HBO is being sold for $15 a month, Showtime for $11 a month and Starz for $9 a month.
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Unlike paid TV operators like Charter, which usually require their customers to subscribe to a basic range of TV channels before offering a package for premium TV channels, Apple reportedly wants to provide the premium bundle as an upfront standalone option for all its potential customers.
According to industry sources, Apple has yet to secure a deal with any of the networks about the premium bundle. At this time, representatives from Apple, Starz, Showtime and HBO have yet to comment on the report.
Apple previously attempted to set up a traditional streaming bundle of TV channels that would feature several popular live channels and on-demand television for approximately $30 per month. However, Apple abandoned the project when they were unable to establish the necessary deals to make the streaming package possible because content providers were hesitant to unbundle their channels.
Apple's assertive negotiation tactics with cable providers have also been blamed for why their plan for a traditional streaming TV bundle did not pan out, with Apple executives reportedly making demands the networks were not prepared to meet. Content providers, on the other hand, were reluctant to agree to Apple's terms out of fear of completely compromising their traditional revenue streams.
Aside from its ambitions of providing TV subscription service, Apple is also rumored to venture in creating original scripted television shows and possibly movies, which will reportedly launch by the end of 2017.
