AfterDawn: News

Apple's unconfirmed iTV will have a la carte channel choices?

According to a new report from analyst firm Sterne Agee (via Barron's), Apple's still unconfirmed iTV will feature a la carte channels, meaning users can pick and choose what they want to buy.

The HDTVs, which have been the subject of rumor since last year, are expected to launch during the summer in 32 or 37-inch varieties, built by Sharp and with chips from Samsung.



Reads the client note:

Frankly, we think that Apple should enter the TV space. Frankly, we are not surprised and believe Apple should enter the TV space as this is arguably the only major end market the company is not currently participating in a bigger way. Moreover, we have picked up several data points indicating activity from component makers to manufacturing partners as well as Apple's own patent filings from at least 2005.

By far the most notable part of the report is the notion that Apple will start a new streaming platform for HD channels, in which users can pick what they want instead of being forced to buy a bundle from a cable company with hundreds of channels they likely don't watch.

Apple is allegedly in negotations with the major media companies to get licensing for such an endeavor, which would be the first of its kind, and truly a "game changer."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Dec 2011 16:58

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• 9 comments

• Notcow

  Haha, chips from Samsung? Seriously?
  

  28.12.2011 19:59 #1

• KillerBug

  Every new set-top box claims this before launch...we will see if it actually materializes...and if the channels are a reasonable price.
  

  
  

  29.12.2011 00:21 #2

• llongtheD

  Originally posted by KillerBug: we will see if it actually materializes...and if the channels are a reasonable price. Knowing Apples history, I'm sure the a la carte channels will be an absolute bargain.

  29.12.2011 10:27 #3

• hearme0

  Originally posted by llongtheD: Originally posted by KillerBug: we will see if it actually materializes...and if the channels are a reasonable price. Knowing Apples history, I'm sure the a la carte channels will be an absolute bargain.
  
  This statement boggles my mind as Apple has no "history" with TV, a la carte channels or cable pricing. While I know certainly well you're referring to the 'pricing' part........still, my mind is boggled by your meritless statement. Especially since ITunes song pricing is expensive at .99 AND..........AND ITunes was riddled with DRM. It's because of Apple's history that I'm inclined to think a la carte channels will be quite pricey.
  
  
  On a positive note, an Apple TV, while stupid in terms of having any Apple software/firmware running it, is brilliant and long overdue for what the public wants..................not to pay for hundreds of channels we don't use.
  
  This will no doubt start the chain reaction to those looking at a la carte cable channels.

  29.12.2011 14:22 #4

• Zoo_Look

  Interesting choice of name, they might not be on the end of a lawsuit if they keep iTV on launch over here. ITV is a copyrighted corporate umbrella entity for the major independent TV franchises in the UK.
  
  With corporate sponsorship deals into the billions of £'s, it could be an interesting court case.
  

  29.12.2011 22:40 #5

• llongtheD

  Originally posted by hearme0: Originally posted by llongtheD: Originally posted by KillerBug: we will see if it actually materializes...and if the channels are a reasonable price. Knowing Apples history, I'm sure the a la carte channels will be an absolute bargain.
  
  This statement boggles my mind as Apple has no "history" with TV, a la carte channels or cable pricing. While I know certainly well you're referring to the 'pricing' part........still, my mind is boggled by your meritless statement. Especially since ITunes song pricing is expensive at .99 AND..........AND ITunes was riddled with DRM. It's because of Apple's history that I'm inclined to think a la carte channels will be quite pricey.
  
  
  On a positive note, an Apple TV, while stupid in terms of having any Apple software/firmware running it, is brilliant and long overdue for what the public wants..................not to pay for hundreds of channels we don't use.
  
  This will no doubt start the chain reaction to those looking at a la carte cable channels. My comment was meant as sarcasm hearme0, guess I forgot to make that clear by typing sarcasm after the comment. I didn't think I needed to considering how apple usually prices their products.
  

  If your fish seems sick, put it back in the water.

  30.12.2011 15:11 #6

• bobiroc

  I thought the FCC had rules to stop TV providers from offering a la carte channel choices, even those streamed from the internet.
  

  AMD Phenom II 965 @ 3.67Ghz, 8GB DDR3, ATI Radeon 5770HD, 300GB 10,000RPM Raptor, 2TB Additional HDD, Windows 7 Ultimate.
  
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  31.12.2011 02:04 #7

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by bobiroc: I thought the FCC had rules to stop TV providers from offering a la carte channel choices, even those streamed from the internet. Nope...no rules against it, although there are a few requirements like that you have to rebroadcast at least one local channel for the emergency messaging system. That certainly doesn't mean that I should have to pay for 4 ESPNs and 50 music channels just to get the Speed channel.
  

  
  

  31.12.2011 05:36 #8

• IguanaC64

  The problem is mainly with the providers. Traditionally, they leverage the cable companies into buying all their channels by threatening to yank their popular channels. Even if you get an a la carte system, channels like ESPN are probably going to make you pay for 15 ESPN channels just so you can get the main one.
  
  I can't imagine these guys are just going to give up control of this.

  3.1.2012 14:28 #9