New Apple TV Likely Delayed Until 2015 Due to Negotiation Difficulties

[MacRumors]

For several months now, rumors have continually suggested Apple is working on a new television product, which may be an updated set top box with capabilities like support for games and apps and expanded access to television content.

Every rumored release date has come and gone thus far, and according to a new report from The Information, a new television-related product is not likely to appear until 2015.

A source that spoke to The Information has suggested that Apple engineers who are working on the new television product have been informed that the device will not launch in 2014, largely due to ongoing contractual issues with cable companies and Comcast's pending purchase of Time Warner Cable.

Apple engineers who are working on aspects of the device have been told by their bosses not to expect a launch this year and are working off timelines that assume a launch next year, according to a person familiar with the plans. Apple employees have cited cable companies "dragging their heels" and the pending Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger as reasons the device and accompanying TV service haven't launched.

Conversely, sources in the television industry have denied that cable companies are behind the delay, suggesting Apple has "bit off more than it can chew," and needs permission from many different rights holders to "create the service it wants to offer."

Over the years, various rumors have pointed towards very ambitious plans for an expansion of the Apple TV, suggesting Apple once aimed to create a subscription television service that would potentially replace cable packages. Due to a continual inability to negotiate a deal with cable companies, Apple is said to have scaled back on its television ambitions, aiming to work with cable companies rather than against them.

The most recent content rumors from February of 2014 have suggested Apple is working to wedge itself between cable companies and consumers, potentially providing content from cable companies through its set-top box, overlaid with an Apple TV-style interface. Apple is also seeking to add DVR capabilities to the service.

In 2013, Apple was said to be close to completing a deal with Time Warner Cable over a possible TWC Apple TV app, allowing Time Warner subscribers to watch live television through the Apple TV, but the negotiations may have stalled due to the pending Time Warner-Comcast merger.

Earlier this year, a product roadmap from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo pointed towards a Q3 2014 launch date for the redesigned Apple TV, but based on The Information's new data, it seems any potential launch plans have now been pushed back.

Article Link: New Apple TV Likely Delayed Until 2015 Due to Negotiation Difficulties

 

[Fuchal]

Seems more and more like the best fall lineup ever will become the best spring lineup ever...

 

[Amadeo]

I have little to no desire for an Apple interface overlaid onto traditional cable service. I cut the cord three years ago, and have yet to have a compelling reason to reconnect. And dare I say, Apple isn't going to be my reason to go back...

 

[mtneer]

So... MacBook Air and Pro refreshes are delayed (ostensibly due to Intel); iPhone 5", MacBook Air 12" and now the Apple TV are also delayed to 2015. Is there anything happening in 2014 or is this the year of the silent bump?

 

[seamer]

Even for a product that is not even acknowledged officially, this is quickly becoming the Phantom-equivalent vaporware of the decade.

 

[Z400Racer37]

This is such BS. Most of the stuff on TV, especially stuff from the news organizations, is so nauseating I don't even watch it anymore. Just release a better, easier to use, more integrated version of YouTube that has a nice UI, and let people be free to generate their own content. If they don't want to partner, then take their marketshare, that's all. They're already steadily losing share and pricing power because of things like YouTube, why not just accelerate the process? And I wanna get rid of my Xbox, so tired of waiting... C'mon Apple :/

 

[jmh600cbr]

all i want is a software facelift that is flatter. you can bring the rest of the features later but please streamline!

 

[Toltepeceno]

Even for a product that is not even acknowledged officially, this is quickly becoming the Phantom-equivalent vaporware of the decade.

Second only to the mac mini update.

 

[Yojimbo007]

Baseless article!
For one... Apple does not announce release date to engineers working on projects. Some dont even know how their projects and work are relevant to the big picture!
They have deadlines.. But only the top tier management knows whats scheduled for release and when .

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

No rush.

 

[Yojimbo007]

So... MacBook Air and Pro refreshes are delayed (ostensibly due to Intel); iPhone 5", MacBook Air 12" and now the Apple TV are also delayed to 2015. Is there anything happening in 2014 or is this the year of the silent bump?

Do u believe everything you read?

 

[mohdamerul]

only Apple can delay rumoured product.

-TC

 

[Populism]

Jobs once said the Apple TV is a "hobby" for Apple. If it is indeed a hobby for them, it seems to be a very loveless, cold hobby. Maybe the term should have been "afterthought."

EDIT: Lots of speculated delays and such about lots of delays. I hope Cook/Apple are spreading these rumors and that they come in and slay some ass with an impressive fall line-up. And I hope Lana Del Rey calls me.

 

[WhoDaKat]

Apple should just buy Comcast, and become their own cable provider.

 

[bushido]

sadly its the one feature i wouldnt even be using LOL

at least release a new UI. its so dated and the usability is horrible

 

[AngerDanger]

I have little to no desire for an Apple interface overlaid onto traditional cable service. I cut the cord three years ago, and have yet to have a compelling reason to reconnect. And dare I say, Apple isn't going to be my reason to go back...

If that was all Apple wanted to do, they probably wouldn't be running into negotiation issues. They could've released a tablet running OS X with horrid usability, but they developed an OS specifically for the iPad, just like they'll develop a user experience that is proprietary to the revamped TV. I know. I'm, like, totally an analyst.

 

[MartinAppleGuy]

There was so much talk that we wouldn't see a retina mini in 2013 because it was delayed.Look where we are now.

 

[HiRez]

Die, Comcast, MPAA, and broadcasters, DIE!

 

[SeattleMoose]

Bigfoot, Apple TV Update, Loch Ness Monster, Mac Mini Update, Little Green Men....

 

[Rogifan]

So... MacBook Air and Pro refreshes are delayed (ostensibly due to Intel); iPhone 5", MacBook Air 12" and now the Apple TV are also delayed to 2015. Is there anything happening in 2014 or is this the year of the silent bump?

How does rumors = delays? Everything you just cited is a rumor (the product itself or the delay).

 

[elev8d]

I have little to no desire for an Apple interface overlaid onto traditional cable service. I cut the cord three years ago, and have yet to have a compelling reason to reconnect. And dare I say, Apple isn't going to be my reason to go back...

Yeah, after this news, I'm suddenly less excited about the Apple TV updates.

 

[PocketSand11]

I'd just want to be able to use the cable service of my choice with an Apple TV instead of a Verizon or DirecTV box. Those boxes are mediocre at best, often really bad, and surely won't interconnect with anything made by Apple or others.

The one time I wanted to watch TV was during the World Cup. It was far from incident-free using my Verizon box. I accidentally changed the channel, then I couldn't go back because I didn't have the number memorized (what is this, 1975?), and there was no back button. The search gave an unknown error when I opened it, and it even had the nerve to show me a full-screen image ad for a new movie when I went to the guide.

 

[mozumder]

They really should just start to license content like Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime does, and then work on expanding that as needed.

 

[mtneer]

Do u believe everything you read?

Here's to hoping that Apple would make me an unbeliever!

 

[Rogifan]

For some reason it seems like Apple is unwilling to update Apple TV until it can unveil its grand plans. But it seems to me there's a lot Apple could do while they're working through these negotiations to keep it competitive with other offerings in the space. If nothing else how about a new UI with better search capabilities?