Apple Plans Local TV Streaming in Upcoming ‘Cable-Killer TV App’: NY Post

Apple’s next big thing could be local live TV streaming, according to The New York Post. Sources tell the publication Apple is in talks with major U.S. networks ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox to negotiate on behalf of their local TV affiliates with the iPhone maker:

“The platform is ready and it rocks,” said one source

Apple’s discussions with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox initially foundered over the tech giant’s desire to offer on the soon-to-launch service local live TV feeds streamed on any Apple device, sources said.

But networks don’t control affiliate feeds. So Apple CEO Tim Cook’s team asked the networks to obtain those rights — instead of having Apple chase those rights around the country itself.

Sources say networks are “close” to sealing the deal to negotiate on behalf of local affiliates with Apple. Incentives for local affiliates to opt-in and offer their TV feeds to Apple, would include a share of added revenue from future Apple TV plans.

As for when this live streaming TV product could launch, sources peg it could arrive “as soon as the late fall.”

Back in March, rumours claimed a new Apple TV would possibly debut at WWDC, but the launch was pulled as the company “changed its mind and abandoned those plans” in May.

Of course, if anything does materialize from this, it’ll launch in the U.S. exclusively. It will be challenging for Apple to penetrate Canada with its TV plans, considering it is already taking so long for Apple Pay to arrive.

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