Report: Apple in talks to stream content from 3 movie studios
Reuters
4:14 PM CDT, April 27, 2012
Apple Inc. began talks this year to stream films owned by EPIX, which is backed by three major movie studios, on devices including a long-anticipated TV, according to two people with knowledge of the negotiations.
Apple, which sells a $99 set-top box that hooks up to a TV and lets users stream content from Netflix and the MLB channel, opened discussions with 3-year-old EPIX, created by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., MGM and Viacom's Paramount Pictures.
One of the sources told Reuters that any discussions would apply to its set-top box and upcoming devices that stream content. Apple is widely expected to unveil a full-fledged TV product this year or in early 2013 to drive its next phase of growth and potentially revolutionize the industry.
Apple has been stymied for much of the past year in securing marquee Hollywood content. Talks with EPIX are in the preliminary stages and no agreement is considered near, the source said.
The talks could be complicated by EPIX's 2010 agreement with Netflix, which pays $200 million a year for the rights to stream movies to its 23.4 million U.S. clients. That deal gives Netflix exclusive streaming rights to EPIX movies through September - before Apple is expected to trot out its planned TV set.
Apple declined to comment on what it called "speculation." A Netflix spokesman had no immediate comment. An EPIX spokesman had no comment.
Shares in Netflix closed down 1.6 percent at $83.74 on the Nasdaq. Apple, which snapped a two-week losing streak this week after better-than-expected results, finished off 0.8 percent at $603.
Copyright © 2012, Reuters
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