Apple would like to differentiate itself from other companies selling TV subscriptions over the web by featuring widespread access to live programming from local TV stations, reports claim.
The Cupertino company has decided to concentrate its efforts on providing customers in cities around the U.S. with live local TV broadcasts to make certain its TV service has broader appeal, targeting an audience of 30 million people.
According to industry executives familiar with the plans of the company, this would distinguish Apple's offering from Dish's Sling TV and Sony's Vue, which only offer local broadcasts in only a couple of cities, or none at all.
In addition to live local broadcast subscriptions, Apple has also been discussing business deals to offer an assembly of nationwide top channels, which include CBS, ABC, and Fox, as well as other cable channels owned by Discovery and Viacom, but negotiations have been delayed with Comcast-owned NBC, based on multiple reports.
Apple's web TV broadcasting service will reportedly be offered across different Apple devices, allowing customers to view live content on their iPads, iPhones, Apple TV streaming box and Apple laptop and desktop computers.
The company's ambitions have complicated its talks with broadcast TV networks because most local stations are not owned by the broadcasters. They use a semi-autonomous franchise system, or work through local affiliates.
Securing the rights to broadcast local commercials and programs takes some time. For instance, it took two years for ABC to acquire the rights to broadcast live programming via the company's Watch ABC app, and its livestreams are currently limited to iPhone and iPad users in eight cities.
Some top officials state that providing digital feeds of the local broadcast from several affiliates would mean new streaming infrastructure for broadcasters as well.
Earlier reports have suggested the company could introduce its Apple TV subscription service together with the next version of its Apple TV streaming box at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8.
Reports, however, suggest continuous negotiations with local broadcasters could push the announcement to "early fall." As for the new Apple TV set-top box, a major revamp of the hardware has been anticipated as rumors claim it will feature an A8 processor, a new touchpad controller, Siri voice controls, and a dedicated App Store.
Previous reports also stated Apple was considering charging a base price of between $30 and $40 per month for its projected subscription TV service, which is more expensive than the monthly charge of $20 of Dish's Sling TV.
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