Over the years, Apple has not shied away from new product categories, and it might soon be branching out yet again—into original programming.
Citing anonymous sources, Variety said Apple is eyeing a move that could put it in direct competition with Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu. The publication tipped recent "preliminary conversations" with Hollywood execs, "to suss out their interest in spearheading efforts to produce premium entertainment content."
Apple did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.
Details are scant, and Variety's sources are split on Apple's ultimate goal. Some say Apple plans to build development and production divisions over the coming months, with the goal of being in operation in 2016. The magazine's other sources, however, describe the effort as more of a "flirtation." A recent bid to snag Top Gear stars Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond on Apple's platform (they went with Amazon) suggests Apple is serious about this move.
If Cupertino does enter the market, the Apple TV set-top box would likely play a role. A larger, more feature-rich version of the gadget is expected on Sep. 9, and could cost between $149 and $199.
Not on next week's agenda, however, is the launch of Apple's Internet TV service. Recent rumors suggest the company has not yet secured deals with content providers, though the function is expected to arrive sometime next year, for about $40 per month.
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Source: pcmag.com
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