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Comments on news posted 2012-08-16 09:17:35: There's been chatter for years that Apple wanted to do something disruptive in the TV sector (like a new subscription TV service). ..

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castsucks

@sbcglobal.net

best case and Worse case

Best case and Worse case

Best for uses it's a cable card or all vid box that you can buy.

Worse case rent only (usa) for $15-$20 /mo each or canada $20-$25 rent / rent to own or buy for $600-$800.


Cheese
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join:2003-10-26
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Yawn.....

Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn


skeechan
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Going to be next to impossible

MSOs aren't going to give up their $20/mo cash hog which is their digital box + DVR service.

But if they could get a DBS provider to bite like DirecTV it could end up like an iPhone...people may switch providers to get the device if it doesn't suck and as a result, MSOs would have to come get it just like Verizon and Sprint did for iPhones. And with DBS being nearly universally available, every MSO COULD feel the pressure to offer the device.

Of course there will be haters that matter what, declare any device of this sort DOA just as they did the iPhone and iPad.

mogamer

join:2011-04-20
Royal Oak, MI

said by skeechan:

MSOs aren't going to give up their $20/mo cash hog which is their digital box + DVR service.

I guess you've never heard of cable card devices then.

Even though Comcast is the biggest cabelco, you could get their complete service without renting any of their equipment (outside of a cable card). Xbox 360 for On Demand service, Tivo or HTPC as a dvr, and use your own modem for internet and phone.


skeechan
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They support cablecards because the FCC forced them to.

MSOs were dragged kicking and screaming to cablecards.



Linklist
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1 edit

Apple can build one now - a cable card ready device

Just like TIVO did, Apple can build a STB right now that can work on cable systems. It would accept cablecards and would ALSO have their AppleTV box functions for Internet access built-in too.

The problem is that Apple, as usual, wants to build a box where Apple controls the whole process of updates, apps, access, etc. Thereby trying to ace out the carrier from dealing with the customer at all.
--
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Linklist
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reply to skeechan

Re: Going to be next to impossible

said by skeechan:

They support cablecards because the FCC forced them to.

MSOs were dragged kicking and screaming to cablecards.

So what! That support is there and could be used by Apple.
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skeechan
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4 edits

Uh, obviously that isn't what they're doing. They don't need to negotiate with MSOs to make a cablecard device. If Apple makes a cablecard device, FCC mandates that the MSOs permit it. MSOs wouldn't have a choice just like they don't have a choice with TiVo.

The only reason to negotiate with MSOs is to STREAM their content like the previously mentioned XBOX+Comcast stuff or the Cox+iPad stuff.

It looks to me that they want Apple TV with functionality resembling the Cox iPad app except it actually work after updating But the MSO has to permit such functionality just as Cox is the one putting the iPad app up.

My guess is there is a new Apple TV in the works that runs apps from an Apple TV app store and they want to offer (embedded) apps resembling the Cox iPad app in addition to games and everything else. Such a device, if still in the $99 range I reckon would be immensely popular. Apple TV would then supplant the Wii as the budget game console, especially since the Wii-U goes upscale.


majortom1029

join:2006-10-19
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software

Comcast/timewarner/and cablevision all have software that you can use on an ipad or ip[hone to watch tv.

Apple does not have to do an new setup .Just have those 3 put the software on the apple tv. No new setop required.

Cablevision showed their software running on a samsung and lg tv so why not?


skeechan
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reply to Linklist

Re: Apple can build one now - a cable card ready device

That would the price up the box and make deployment troublesome for end users. Anyone with a TiVo (I have two) can attest to the nightmare cablecards are.

It is much simpler for Apple to simply app up a new 4th generation Apple TV with MSO supported apps for which MSOs get in-app subscription revenues for.

I just don't see Apple making a "real" cable box. Apple TV is inches away from running everything in the app store and if they can get TV on there, they'd sell a zillion.


skeechan
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reply to majortom1029

Re: software

There is no Apple TV developer agreement other than those very specific ones (eg Netflix, Hulu, etc). Apps running on iPad wouldn't automatically be supported by a 4th gen Apple TV. The developers for the MSO would have to do that.

And if Apple tries to support it themselves, MSO simply pull the apps from the App Store.

Apple has no real choice but to negotiate with MSOs if they want to deploy a 4th gen Apple TV with apps, games AND cable TV.

desarollo

join:2011-10-01
Monroe, MI

reply to Linklist

Re: Apple can build one now - a cable card ready device

How is this any different than a Tivo? If I buy a Tivo, the only interaction I should be having with the cable company is to get a Cablecard and paying the monthly service fee, right?

I have no illusions that Apple's motives are not altruistic nor anything but in Apple's best interests; but anyone who can disrupt this nonsense of having to rent gear from the cable company in order to watch the service for which I'm paying, is alright in my book.


airwavz
Always the green wire

join:2011-09-11
Mount Juliet, TN
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STB? - Who Cares

Why does anyone have any interest in STB's? The reality is, just like landline phones, cable TV is a 'dead service walking'... They just haven't admitted it yet. The new generation doesn't care about Radio, Cable TV, or anything wired - it has to be mobile AND internet based to even interest them (look at the latest facts on where the kids get their music from). My teenage daughter hasn't sat down in front of the TV in ages. She gets everything she wants on her phone - YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, DI.fm, etc. She only opens her laptop to play games! This time Apple is too late to the show. Between the cord-cutters and the mobile generation, the cable-cos become ISPs or die - it really is just that simple. Why do you think the telcos are simply abandoning copper and focusing on wireless? Any cable-co that's not putting every resource into data is a future bankruptcy...

awbishop

join:2004-08-26
Chicago, IL

What about IP based Tv?

If they could secure the rights to the programming and manage to "unbundle" it, allowing you to stream the channels to the box via your broadband connection, then THAT in my opinion is compelling enough to compete. It would be contingent on 2 things in my opinion, first being I dont want to wait until the next day for the programming (live programming should be an option). Second, the pricing would have to reflect the unbundling of the channels if they go that route. Alot of people that I know are sick of paying for 200 channels and watching 4 to 10 of them. It certainly would make an interesting products.

tpkatl

join:2009-11-16
Dacula, GA

What good is an Apple box when Comcast controls the pipe?

We're all at the mercy of our cable provider and their caps and what they're willing ot throw down the pipe. We all know how Comcast really feels about Net neutrality - and it's not encouraging.

As long as {comcast, Charter, TWC} controls the coaxial cable, then Apple doesn't have a prayer.

Which is why Google's Kansas City experiment is MUCH more promising than any Apple box.


espaeth
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reply to airwavz

Re: STB? - Who Cares

said by airwavz:

Why does anyone have any interest in STB's? The reality is, just like landline phones, cable TV is a 'dead service walking'... They just haven't admitted it yet.

... just like these graphs clearly show the decline of HDTVs in households.. er.. wait.



elray

join:2000-12-16
Santa Monica, CA

How many times?

Karl laments that broadcasters "are terrified of the existing cash cow being disrupted". I doubt any Wall Street analysts would characterize the broadcast industry as drowning in cashflow.

Apple is the stubborn one here. They are unwilling to invest in the last-mile network and assure 2K/4K delivery; they are unwilling to pay for the content.


pnh102
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reply to espaeth

Re: STB? - Who Cares

Non sequitur. Don't forget that HDTVs have been the only thing you could buy for quite some time now. It only stands to reason that more households would have them and that their penetration would increase over time, if only because people are replacing older tvs with new ones.

I'm more interested in the total number of pay tv subscribers over time. Methinks it has been flat, as the only way one provider can get new customers is to poach them from another provider. Based on previous reports here, I don't see people who cut the cord completely on pay tv as a huge factor, yet.

Assuming the number of total subscribers is flat and has been over time, then I would say the pay tv industry might want to start worrying.
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jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA

reply to espaeth
What does HDTV have to do with cable tv?



espaeth
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reply to pnh102

said by pnh102:

I'm more interested in the total number of pay tv subscribers over time. Methinks it has been flat, as the only way one provider can get new customers is to poach them from another provider.

The rate of growth is slowing, but it's definitely not flat.



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