Apple has a knack for taking existing concepts in tech and driving them into widespread adoption, so while they won’t be the first company to offer a pared-down, Internet streaming television package, they might be the first to succeed in shaking cable providers’ stranglehold on the TV market.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple’s streaming TV package should be ready by the fall and run $30 – $40 dollars a month, significantly less than a lot of cable subscriptions packed with tons of channels no one ever watches. Apple’s package, exclusive to Apple devices as usual, is said to come with around 25 channels and include CBS, ABC, Fox, and more, though NBC is apparently absent due to a breakdown of negotiations with their parent company, Comcast Corp—gee, I can’t imagine why Comcast wasn’t just thrilled.
Basically, Apple’s plan sounds like a more expensive version of Hulu without the time-shifted viewing woes and more content to justify the price tag. Right now, cutting out cable can be a pain when it comes to big events like the Academy Awards or anything else not offered through Netflix, Hulu, or your Internet TV provider of choice, but Apple’s new service, and others like Dish Network’s Sling TV should make those issues a thing of the past.
With HBO and Showtime also moving to their own standalone streaming services, a la carte Internet TV looks like it may finally be a viable alternative to traditional services. Hopefully Apple can work its mainstream magic and finally move us into an era free of ridiculous cable prices without the compromises that currently go with “cutting the cord.”
(via Daily Dot)
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