Apple is planning to enter the business of creating original programming. This has caused a buzz in both the media and tech world where the iPhone maker is one of the major players.
According to Variety, in the past couple of weeks, Apple has been busy talking with Hollywood executives to map out a mutual interest in coming up with programming content. Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Apple's Internet Software and Services is said to be leading the charge. Cue was the one who negotiated with programmers for the much awaited Apple TV and was also instrumental in diffusing a recent incident with Taylor Swift.
Variety's report also noted that while it is still unsure what Apple is actually planning to do, one executive close to the company said that all roads are leading to the creation of a unit that will be tasked to make streaming content just like Netflix. The immediate goal, according to the source of the news, is to find and hire the right people in the remaining days of the year. Should the plan make a significant headway, Netflix will be seeing its competitor launch the operation in 2016.
Many tech insiders believe this is just a "testing" phase with nothing concrete in the works. However, one source cited Apple's attempt to sign "Top Gear" stars Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond to a deal in July as a proof of how serious the company is in their interest in programming.
Meanwhile, CNN Money said that Apple is planning to unveil a new Apple TV on Sept. 9. It also mentioned that the Cupertino-based tech giant wants to offer a bundled cable TV service online, but many network owners do not like the idea and resisted attempts to make a deal with the company.
