Apple’s Subscription TV Service Won’t Be Unveiled at WWDC

Sources tell Re/code Apple’s rumoured subscription TV service will not be unveiled on stage next week at WWDC, as the delay is linked to unfinished licensing deals:

Apple won’t be announcing its much-anticipated subscription TV service next week at its Worldwide Developer Conference, according to several people with knowledge of the situation.

The Cupertino technology company has told network executives the planned unveiling will be postponed because Apple has yet to finalize the licensing deals.

Apple’s goal for the service was said to have it launch in the fall, ready for the new TV season, but delays over licensing and new technology required by broadcasters to support the service has put the grand idea on hold.

The iPhone maker’s TV service would differentiate from offerings from Sony and Dish’s Sling by introducing support for local broadcast stations. But this appears to be a barrier to negotiations as controlling rights to local programs and commercials is complex and time consuming.

CBS CEO Les Moonves admitted to Re/code at the the latter’s recent Code Conference he was “very excited about it”, referring to Apple’s TV subscription plans and also noting how he has met with Apple’s media chief Eddy Cue to discuss an “ongoing conversation,” with the biggest barrier being “money”.

Apple is rumoured to debut a new Apple TV at WWDC with Siri, but there’s no word whether how the TV subscription delay may impact these plans.