With just one week before WWDC kicks off in San Francisco, one of the Apple announcements many folks were looking forward to the most has reportedly been delayed.
For months now, we’ve been hearing rumors of Apple rolling out a TV subscription service aimed at undercutting traditional cable TV providers with a more wallet-friendly $30-$40 pricepoint. Now comes word via Re/Code that licensing and money issues have pushed back Apple’s TV plans, perhaps as far back as 2016.
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“The Cupertino technology company has told network executives the planned unveiling will be postponed because Apple has yet to finalize the licensing deals,” the report notes. “Industry executives predict Apple’s Web TV offering may not launch until later this year, or in 2016. Technology and money issues remain sticking points.”
While news that Apple’s rumored TV service is being delayed is disappointing, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given how difficult it can be to navigate the murky world of TV licensing deals. Just last week, for instance, we highlighted how Apple was having trouble securing the rights to local broadcast stations for its planned TV initiative. You might also recall reports suggesting that Apple was having trouble reaching a deal with NBCUniversal.
Nonetheless, Apple should still have a few surprises in store for us come June 8, including the first public viewing of iOS 9, a Maps app with built-in transit directions (finally!), and of course, Apple’s upcoming music streaming service.
