[opendtv] Report: Apple to share viewer data on new pay-TV service to entice programmers - FierceCable
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:04:44 -0400
http://www.fiercecable.com/story/report-apple-share-viewer-data-new-pay-tv-service-entice-programmers/2015-03-18
Report: Apple to share viewer data on new pay-TV service to entice programmers
Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) wants to move quickly on its over-the-top pay-TV service,
and it's willing to make major concessions to programmers to make it happen.
This is the upshot of a New York Post follow-up report on Wednesday, which says
the Silicon Valley giant is willing to share audience data with programmers in
order to get them to sign on to its prospective OTT service.
"They're allowing a lot more decision-making by the content owner," an
anonymous source told the Post. Apple, the source added, has told programmers,
"It's up to you, whatever you guys want to do.
Access to viewer data has been a concern for content companies, with early
leaders in the streaming-video market, notably SVOD services Netflix and
Amazon, refusing to share basic metrics on programming.
On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is talking to 21st
Century Fox, the Walt Disney Company and CBS Corp., among others, about
launching a new streaming service in the fall.
It was only the latest big WSJ scoop about a potential Apple TV service.
However, Apple's intent seems to be quite a bit more focused now.
Beyond adding the angle of audience concessions, the Post also reported that
Apple is aiming for a price point of around $20 a month. The New York Times,
meanwhile, quoted various sources that said the service would be positioned in
the $30-a-month range.
Meanwhile, the tech blog Apple Insider reported that the company is also in
talks with Discovery Networks and Viacom about the new service.
Apple appears to be talking to everyone except Comcast/NBCUniversal. One of the
more interesting tidbits in the WSJ report was that Apple is holding a grudge
against the conglomerate, after the two sides talked last year about teaming up
on a streaming service. Apple executives reportedly felt "strung along" by
Comcast, which is focused on developing its X1 platform these days.
Said one Post anonymous source: "Apple just realized, it's never happening and
they can't ever do a deal with them."
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- » [opendtv] Report: Apple to share viewer data on new pay-TV service to entice programmers - FierceCable - Craig Birkmaier