Apple Looks to Embrace Live TV

The Tech Giant’s Forey Into Cable Highlights Importance of Live TV

8.16.2012—It was reported by the Wall Street Journal today that Apple is making its way into the pay-TV world, seeking out a deal with cable service providers to expand content options on the next iteration of Apple TV. Techcrunch’s MG Siegler had a great take on it here. 

Moving away from the stream-only model displays one important aspect that, initially, those that wanted to “disrupt” TV content  with their set-top boxes didn’t consider…live TV matters. 

While the argument for live breaking news or sports is there, the same can be argued for shows as well. Sure, streaming services are great, how else do you get to power through season after season of a TV show, commercial free at the press of a button? But you are watching that show after the fact. 

In keeping up with the show, especially a show you like, there is no service that lets you watch it when it first airs…except for TV. Keeping viewers completely current with mainstream visual media is an integral part of getting into the TV space.

Apple gets it and in doing so is making the move to working with cable and content providers. The same motivation can be said about the creation of Google Fiber. As Siegler put it, “that’s where the content is.”