by Dan Moren
Report: Apple eyeing Time Warner sale
The New York Post (yeah, yeah, I know) says that Apple’s keeping tabs on Time Warner, which may be considering selling itself off in whole or part:
The tech giant is among a handful of companies, all possible suitors of the entertainment company, which has recently come under pressure from activists to sell itself or spin off assets, sources familiar with the situation said Tuesday.
The article largely suggests that what Apple may be interested in is the media assets—Warner Bros., HBO, and CNN—but that Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes doesn’t want to sell off just pieces. I can’t imagine Apple would want to buy it lock, stock, and barrel; it’s just too much.
But this does come at a time when Apple is having trouble putting together its streaming TV service, so it certainly makes sense that Eddy Cue is keeping his finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry.
However, Apple rarely makes acquisitions this big or prominent, and a huge multimedia company would be a totally new strategic direction. So, while not out of the question, I wouldn’t take this to the bank.