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By Jason Snell for Macworld
How a streaming video service could solve Apple’s biggest problem
When I first read speculation about Apple creating its own streaming video service, to compete with Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, I thought it pretty unlikely. If Apple is negotiating with networks to offer their shows on an “over the top” replacement for cable TV, threatening to compete with them seemed to be like a bad move.
Then came reports that Dr. Dre is filming an Apple-financed original television series, news that seems to be a red herring: Dre’s series, Vital Signs, will be available to Apple Music subscribers, and isn’t a sign that Apple’s about to launch a massive television development program.
And yet today I’ve changed my tune when it comes to an Apple-backed video subscription service. It feels almost inevitable to me, and the reason goes back to Apple’s most recent financial results.