Apple TV Subscriptions On the Horizon?

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After years of neglect it appears we now know what Apple is doing with the Apple TV: subscription TV services. According to the WSJ, Apple is in negotiations with CBS and Disney to stream their respective content over the Internet to the Apple TV. Yes, it appears as though Apple is gunning for cable and satellite TV providers. Tech journos and Apple TV owners the world over have just squealed in glee.

The service sounds pretty simple and straightforward – subscribe to the channels/shows that you want for a monthly fee. The service is said to be slated for a 2010 launch, says the WSJ. However, no major networks have signed on with Apple. I don’t know about you, but I’d jump on board if this pans out. I don’t like paying over $100/month to watch a handful of TV shows. Would such a service have anything to do with the vaunted tablet? Probably.

It doesn’t matter what Apple wants to do at this point if networks aren’t playing ball. And how would this service be any different than their current TV offerings via iTunes? Well, according to “people familiar” with the situation, Apple is looking to pay networks upwards of $4 a month per subscriber on down to $1 a month for basic-cable networks. Another theory is that a “best of television” type package would be available for $30/month with a potpourri of ad-free shows from various networks.

Hmm…I’ll have to think about this one for a while. There’s nothing compelling about it. Nor is it any different than what’s already available.