The moment the media and technology industries have been expecting for years may finally be arriving. Apple is looking into the original programming business by creating their own content.
According to Variety, sources indicate that Apple has been having secret meetings with Hollywood executives to produce new and entertaining content for the California tech company.
Apple is getting ready to begin hiring for the project “in the coming months,” with operations set to begin within a year, unnamed sources told the reporters.
However, not much has been released. It’s unclear whetehr Apple would produce movies, TV shows or both, or if the company would produce content in-house, or work with producers, like Netflix does. It is also uncertain how Apple monetize their content.
But, what can we expect? Apparently, Apple is strongly considering facing off against Netflix.
The scale of Apple’s ambitions vary depending on whom is asked, but one high-level executive who talked with the company said the goal is to create development and production divisions that would churn out long-form content to stream in a bid to compete with Netflix. Apple is hoping to put a headhunting firm on those hires in the coming months, according to source, with the goal of being in operation next year. Unknown is whether the focus is on TV series, movies — or both. [Source]
Another interesting point in Variety’s report is that Apple was among the parties involved in the bidding war for the British TV show Top Gears, after the show’s star left BBC and found a new home at Amazon.
The idea of Apple going Hollywood has been rumored for years. Ever since Steve Jobs became involved in the TV and film industry, there have been speculation that TV shows and movies will become available on iTunes. This is just the latest rumor just a few months after Apple landed its music streaming service, Apple Music.
