Apple vs. Hulu: The Amazing Race to a Subscription TV Streaming Service
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All last year, basically, we were hearing an awful lot about a potential Apple TV-based live cable subscription service. Originally anticipated to launch alongside the Cupertino-company’s 4th generation Apple TV at the September 9, 2015, iPhone 6s event, customers and analysts were ultimately let down hard when they found out that Apple’s foray into the cable TV streaming scene was facing a multitude of unexpected delays.
Well, for its part, Apple never officially came right out and said it’s live cable TV service was shelved for good; but rather, that it was simply “put off” until some more behind-the-scenes, bits-and-pieces details were worked out behind closed doors.
However, what we’ve recently learned might put a damper on Apple’s highly anticipated plans — for it appears that Hulu, an on-demand, internet-based streaming service (a la Netflix), might very soon be joining the ranks of other internet-based live TV services, which would understandably be a major blow to Apple.
According to sources affiliated with The Wall Street Journal, Hulu might be gearing up to enter the ever-expanding array of live TV streaming services as early as the first quarter of 2017. Moreover, these same sources indicated that Hulu co-owners, Disney Co. and FOX, are prepared to stream their own channels right out of the gate. That portfolio of networks includes, among others, ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel(s), FOX, FOX News, and FX. However, another big-name company holding a vested interest in Hulu, Comcast/NBC Universal, has not yet signed on to license any of its channels for the new platform.
Keep in mind, folks: even if Hulu ultimately does launch its own live TV streaming service, there are still several barriers standing in the way — and whatever program hits the airwaves at launch will likely never evolve into anything like a fully-fledged, standalone cable TV service.
The Wall Street Journal sources indicated, however, that customers wishing to sign up for the service at launch need not be existing Hulu customers; and that $40 per month is “in the right ballpark” — in terms of a price for the service.
Also, not to rain on your parade or anything, guys, but sources also indicated that, not only would the “exact” dollar amount of Hulu’s TV service make it more expensive than rivals Sling TV and PlayStation Vue, but there will likely also be some extent of targeted advertising. Though on the other hand, it’s expected that the monthly price will cover a certain amount of cloud-based DVR storage space — allowing users to save favorite episodes to their account and access them at their heart’s desire.
So, while the fate of Apple’s long-rumored, highly-anticipated, but ultimately put-on-pause cable TV service still remains unknown, at least we MIGHT have hope for an alternative, comparably priced option looming on the imminent horizon.
Plus, it’s not like Apple couldn’t end up surprising us in the end, right? They’re pretty good at that sort of thing, after all.
What do you think about Hulu’s apparent endeavor to hop aboard the cable TV streaming bandwagon next year? Do you think Apple will still come sit down at the table if they do? Let us know in the comments!
