Apple Streaming Deal with CBS Likely, Says CBS CEO

Apple unveiled their fourth-generation Apple TV during September’s “Hey Siri” event. The device impressed viewers with a new, faster processor, larger internal storage space, new operating system, support for third-party apps, and a new touchscreen and Siri-compatible remote. The device, which was originally slated for launch during June’s WWDC, saw a number of delays before its eventual release. And while many were blown away by device’s hardware and software improvements, others were perturbed by the lack of is possibly the device’s most highly-anticipated feature – Apple’s TV streaming service.

Rumors of a subscription-based streaming television service by Apple have been circulating the internet for almost a year now. Apple TV owners have patiently waited through a number of delays for the announcement of said service. Most recently, this past August, news of another delay hit the internet – this time due to negotiations between Apple and TV networks. An August report by Bloomberg Business said the delay would push the service back to 2016, and that negotiations between Apple and Comcast Corp., who owns large networks such as CBS, NBC, and Fox “have mired”.

Although we haven’t heard much about the service since the last delay, it appears as if Apple is still working to make progress behind the scenes. In an interview with Bloomberg last week, CBS CEO Les Moonves stated that his network would “probably” reach a deal with Apple for the streaming service in the future. “Apple is having conversations with everybody about doing their own streaming services,” Moonves said during the interview. “We have had those conversations, as have the other networks. Do I think something will happen? Probably, but I do not know when.”

The delay is likely due to money – as Bloomberg Business pointed out in August, content providers are looking to “receive more, not less, money from new Internet-based services like Apple than from existing cable and satellite TV partners, because they’re new to the market and are seeking to gain share.” Hopefully Apple and the content providers can reach an agreeable deal soon.

Apple’s subscription TV service will probably cost between $30-$50 per month, and will look to feature a “skinny bundle” of around 25 popular channels at launch, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, MTV, Comedy Central, the Disney Channel, and more. It’s unclear when the service will become available.