Apple is exploring a move into original programming, a decision that could pit the CE giant against OTT players such as Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, and possibily traditional programmers as well,Varietyreported.
Citing unnamed sources, Variety said Apple has held preliminary talks with Hollywood execs about the plan, noting that Apple’s content chief, Eddy Cue, is running point on the project. Apple, a source told the pub, “is hoping to put a headhunting firm on those hires in the coming months.”
Variety said it’s still unclear if Apple would take the Netflix path and work with third-party producers or try to build its own studio, a strategy that ultimately backfired for Microsoft and its now-shuttered Xbox Entertainment Studios unit.
The report on Apple’s purported original content plans come amid word that the company has been bogged down in licensing talks with programmers about an OTT-TV service that is now not expected to launch until sometime next year.
In the meantime, Apple is gearing up for the expected September 9 debut of a next-gen version of the Apple TV device.
