It has been learnt that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is ready to share important data, with its programming partners with regard to who are its viewers, the content they watch and their timing. This will facilitate the programmers to come up, with the right content for the audience they want to target.
Apple is taking a liberal approach this time and is going to let the programmers take the decision, with respect to airing advertisements.
It may be noted here that traditional companies like Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)and Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) do not allow such sensitive data to be shared, with the programmers. By doing so, Apple has secured an upper hand in the competition race to match up its rivals like Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) and DISH Network Corp’s (NASDAQ:DISH) Sling TV who are fast coming up, with slimmed down channel packages and that too without a cable TV subscription.
Off late, programmers have been offering personalized packages in order to create a direct relation, with the viewers. For example, CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) has recently come up with its app, CBS All Access, costing $5 per month.
Apple is holding discussions, with Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS), CBS, Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (NASDAQ:FOXA) and Discovery Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:DISCA) to come up, with slimmer channel packages, which would be priced at around $20.
Although there is no written agreement, Apple seems to be in a hurry to close important deals, with the programmers in this regard. The programming fees would be similar to what the cable operators are currently paying on a monthly per subscriber basis.
Apple has already its deal, with regard to launch of Time Warner Inc’s (NYSE:TWX) HBO Now – a mobile service that can work without cable TV service.
Earlier, Apple was in talks, with Time Warner Cable, with regard to creating a sleek user interface through which consumers could access TV apps when suddenly Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) came into the picture. The latter went on to finally acquire Time Warner Cable.
Currently, there are no plans that Apple would include Comcast-owned NBCUniversal or other NBCU channels in its package.
