Apple reportedly wants to set its TV service apart from rivals by offering widespread access to live streaming, but this could lead to delays.
TV services that offer TV subscriptions over the web are nothing uncommon or unheard of, so Apple wouldn't have anything revolutionary there with its highly-anticipated Apple TV. The company has another strategy in mind, however, to differentiate its offering and attract more customers to its service - live programming from local TV stations.
More specifically, Apple reportedly aims to offer live programming from local broadcast stations in various cities across the U.S., which would be something its rivals can't really brag about. Existing services such as those from Sony or Sling from Dish have started to venture down this path, but offered local programming only in a handful of cities, if at all. If Apple pulls through with its TV service plans, it would have significant leverage against rivals by offering widespread access to live TV programming from local stations in multiple cities in the U.S.
According to a new report from Re/code, however, these ambitious endeavors could result in a delayed launch for the Apple TV service.
"Apple's ambitions have complicated its negotiations with the broadcast TV networks, because most broadcasters don't own all their local stations, and have an affiliate, or franchise system," Re/code explains.
"Clearing the rights to show local programs and commercials takes some time - ABC, for instance, spent two years getting the rights to show live programming via its Watch ABC app, and its livestreams remain limited to viewers in eight cities. Also, some executives say that providing digital feeds of the programming from dozens of affiliates will also require the broadcasters to build new streaming infrastructure."
Apple had previously told programmers that it would like to launch its Web TV service sometime in early fall this year, but these ongoing negotiations for live TV programming with local stations could result in a delayed launch for the service.
At the same time, Re/code points out that industry executives doubt Apple has managed to sign any TV programmers up for its service yet. If it hasn't, it means that Apple will not be able to make an official announcement in this regards at its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, which takes place in the second week of June.
Lastly, this upcoming Apple TV service will reportedly not be limited only to the set top box itself, but to millions of Apple devices as well, complete with live programming, which would further boost its appeal.
Apple has not made any official comment in this regards for now, however, so it's advisable to take this report with a grain of salt until confirmation.
