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From TFA: the last bid for 4 years of broadcast rights went for $2.5B and Apple currently holds north of $85B in the bank. I think Apple can afford it. Also, h

From TFA: the last bid for 4 years of broadcast rights went for $2.5B and Apple currently holds north of $85B in the bank. I think Apple can afford it. Also, how much does the average cable subscription cost in the UK? How many months would you have to forgo cable to completely make up the cost of an Apple TV? It's possible that EPL would loose some casual fans who are not willing to make that compromise, but you better believe that there will be lines of die-hard fans at the Apple store waiting to buy their $99 Apple TV should this happen. Definitely an interesting move on Apple's part...

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derobert 15y ago
The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7071611.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7071611.stm) tells me there are 17 million families in the UK. 99*17 million = 1.7B. So, if Apple wants AppleTV adoption in the UK, it'd be cheaper for them to just mail every household in the UK a free Apple TV.
- tjogin 15y ago
  Right, but that assumes Apple would show the Premier League for free and without any ads. Securing rights to popular tv content seems like an extremely good way to seriously establish Apple as a contender in the tv market, and a very nice way to utilize their tremendous and growing pile of cash.
- mbreese 15y ago
  But even if they did that, what would they watch? You still have to provide compelling content for people to sit down and watch. I can think of nothing that would drive adoption in the UK more than the EPL.
- r00fus 15y ago
  You think this is about the USD99 Apple TV? No, if Apple is acquiring contents rights, it's not just going to be the "hobby" they have. It's probably related to the rumors of the 50" LCD AppleTV.
- jballanc 15y ago
  I think it's more about adjusting attitudes. If you sent everyone a free AppleTV, they'd probably look at it funny and then toss it in the trash. If, on the other hand, you tell them $99 and you can watch as much EPL as you want, that changes attitudes. Also, what I find most intriguing about this possibility is that I've heard from a number of people: "I'd ditch cable and go to AppleTV for everything if only I could get live sports."
- philwelch 15y ago
  People watch the EPL all around the world, not just in the UK.

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derobert 15y ago

The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7071611.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7071611.stm) tells me there are 17 million families in the UK. 99*17 million = 1.7B. So, if Apple wants AppleTV adoption in the UK, it'd be cheaper for them to just mail every household in the UK a free Apple TV.

tjogin 15y ago
Right, but that assumes Apple would show the Premier League for free and without any ads. Securing rights to popular tv content seems like an extremely good way to seriously establish Apple as a contender in the tv market, and a very nice way to utilize their tremendous and growing pile of cash.
mbreese 15y ago
But even if they did that, what would they watch? You still have to provide compelling content for people to sit down and watch. I can think of nothing that would drive adoption in the UK more than the EPL.
r00fus 15y ago
You think this is about the USD99 Apple TV? No, if Apple is acquiring contents rights, it's not just going to be the "hobby" they have. It's probably related to the rumors of the 50" LCD AppleTV.
jballanc 15y ago
I think it's more about adjusting attitudes. If you sent everyone a free AppleTV, they'd probably look at it funny and then toss it in the trash. If, on the other hand, you tell them $99 and you can watch as much EPL as you want, that changes attitudes. Also, what I find most intriguing about this possibility is that I've heard from a number of people: "I'd ditch cable and go to AppleTV for everything if only I could get live sports."
philwelch 15y ago
People watch the EPL all around the world, not just in the UK.