For those awaiting the launch of the Apple Live TV service this year, you will have to wait a little longer and stay plugged into your cords for another year.
Bloomberg reports that Apple had intended to introduce its livestreaming service at the iPhone event on Sept. 9, but due to insufficient advancement in securing licensing deals from content providers, the service will not be available until 2016.
Instead, Apple will still push through with unveiling its new, more powerful Apple TV set-top box although it will still need to be hooked up to an antenna, cable or satellite TV subscription in order to work. Pushing through with introducing the new box shows that the company is still optimistic about Apple Live TV finally launching in 2016.
Reports have indicated that Apple has been working hard in developing a news and entertainment setup that includes networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, FX and 25 other channels that will ensure future cord-cutting users remain interested in Apple's line of gadgets and available entertainment services.
However, Apple’s net-based video streaming service has hit an impasse with networks such as CBS, Fox and NBC over content price, forcing Apple to put its steaming service plans on the back burner for now.
"One of the problems you have with a TV is you have a disparate system with a bunch of providers. There's no standards. There's a lot of rights issues," says Eddy Cue, Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services.
Reports from Bloomberg also claim that Apple does not have the necessary computer network capacity to support a glitch-free service, which is necessary to ensure excellent viewing experience.
"Apple could send every bit from one central point, but the bandwidth costs would be exorbitant plus the service would be terrible," Nick Del Deo, analyst at Moffettnathanson LLC, explains.
Though plans for the $40 per month Apple Live TV Service have been put on hold, the new Apple TV set-top box will feature upgrades to the previous version released three years ago. New features include a touchpad remote, Siri support, a dedicated app store and upgraded internals.
