Apple Withdraws from SXSW, Cancels Apple TV+ Series Debut
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The coronavirus epidemic continues to plague Apple in more ways than one. Not only is the company facing component supply problems and product shortages, but the company also is being forced to cancel its public appearances.
Both Apple and Netflix announced on Thursday that they are pulling out of this year’s South by Southwest music and tech festival.
Apple typically has a significant presence at South by Southwest, which is held each spring in Austin, Texas.
This year, the tech giant had planned to debut three new Apple TV+ original shows at the event including Spike Jonze’s nonfiction film the “Beastie Boys Story,” the animated musical series “Central Park,” and the docuseries “Home.”
Apple is only one of several companies pulling out the conference, which is slated for March 13 to 22.
Twitter was the first big company to announce its exit last weekend.
Facebook, Intel, Amazon, Netflix, and now Apple have followed suit.
Despite the cancellations and mounting pressure to cancel, SXSW is committed to holding the conference and is “proceeding as planned.”
But, the big question on the horizon is the status of Apple’s upcoming WWDC 2020 conference, which is typically held in early June. The coronavirus likely will be under control by then, but Apple needs to release the conference details within the coming weeks. Whether the company is willing to announce its plans in the middle of the epidemic remains to be seen.