Apple’s Siri-powered HDTV could offer customized channel subscriptions

Apple’s much rumored Siri-powered HDTV may offer a feature many TV viewers have been wanting for quite some time: customized channel lineups. According to Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu, Apple has its heart set on offering its customers customized programming. That means, for example, a user might be able to choose to pay for the ESPN and Comedy Central, but omit MTV and CNN. However, that may make licensing a lot messier. “This is obviously much more complicated from a licensing standpoint,” Wu said in a note to investors Wednesday. “And in our view, would change the game for television and give AAPL a big leg-up against the competition.” Wu also argued that Apple should continue to offer its Apple TV set-top box alongside its HDTV, Barron’s reports. The latest rumors have suggested that Sharp is already developing 32-inch and 37-inch LCD panels for the TV, which could launch during the second or third quarter next year. Apple is also already said to be holding meetings with top media executives about its television product, perhaps in an effort to iron out the licensing deals that would be required for customized channel lineups.

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