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Tag: NBCUniversal

  • Apple announces updated Apple TV 4K, complete with redesigned Siri remote, A12 Bionic processor, and other new features

    Apple announces updated Apple TV 4K, complete with redesigned Siri remote, A12 Bionic processor, and other new features

    Over at the Apple “Spring Loaded” media event on Tuesday, the company unveiled a new Apple TV 4K, complete with a redesigned Siri Remote.

    The unit, which retails for $179, will go on sale on Friday, April 30,and be available in the second half of May in more than 30 counties and regions, including the U.S. The new Siri Remote costs US$59 by itself or $149 with an Apple TV HD.

    Where specs are concerned, the new Apple TV contains an A12 Bionic processor, which offers a boost in graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing.

    Per Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing:

    Apple TV 4K is in a category of its own, leveraging a deep integration of Apple hardware, software, and services that deliver a massive upgrade to any TV for the very best cinematic experience. With the A12 Bionic and the all-new Siri Remote, Apple TV 4K lets customers enjoy their favorite shows, movies, and more in the highest quality, with simple and intuitive controls. And of course, Apple TV 4K offers easy access to Apple services, along with thousands of apps on the App Store for even more entertainment options.

    The new Apple TV 4K will support high frame rate HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Dolby Vision video. This allows for 60 frames per second (fps) content to play more smoothly and also means users can AirPlay HDR videos shot on an iPhone 12 Pro and play them to a new Apple TV 4K and play them back in full 60-fps Dolby Vision. Apple has stated that it is working with the likes of FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+ as they start to provide content in this fashion.

    The new Apple TV also offers a new color balance feature in which it uses an iPhone’s light sensor to register nearby light balances, then automatically tailors its video output to deliver much more accurate colors and improved contrast.

    The new Siri Remote functions as a clicked control with five-way navigation that is also touch-enabled. The outer ring of the clickpad now supports a circular gesture too so it can be used as a jog control. Its power button can also control a TV’s power, and there is another button mute for mute too, with the Siri button now on the side. Siri now works on Apple TV in Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand, alongside the existing 13 countries.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and Apple

  • Universal Pictures announces release of currently playing movies to iTunes, other streaming platforms in wake of Coronavirus

    If the audiences can’t get to the theater, you bring the theater to them.

    In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and Americans staying home, Universal Pictures revealed this week that its movies currently in cinemas will become available on iTunes and other on-demand services starting as early as Friday.

    “Universal Pictures has a broad and diverse range of movies with 2020 being no exception,” said NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell in a statement. “Rather than delaying these films or releasing them into a challenging distribution landscape, we wanted to provide an option for people to view these titles in the home that is both accessible and affordable.”

    The studio revealed that current releases like The Invisible Man, The Hunt, and Emma, will be available to rent for 48 hours for $19.99. DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour will be available on-demand the same day it is released in theaters, April 10. Trolls isn’t slated for global release until April 20, but it will be available through on-demand streaming services in those markets immediately as well.

    This all comes in the wake of movie theaters seeing their lowest box office grosses in more than 20 years as cities buckle down under the epidemic. Six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area mandated this week that residents must stay home except when venturing out to buy essentials for the next three weeks. Apple Store across the country remain closed indefinitely, with many other retailers following suit.

    Universal will update its strategy as time goes on, and has yet to announce whether any movies beyond Trolls World Tour will see early release via digital services in the near future.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via Cult of Mac

  • Analyst predicts Apple streaming TV service to be below $40 per month

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    No one’s quite sure how much an Apple streaming/Web TV service would cost per month, but guesses are being made.

    Rod Hall of J.P. Morgan issued a note to investors on Wednesday, in which he said a US$40-per-month price tag for a subscription TV service would be too high.

    In his view, the incremental cost of cable television service from a provider like Comcast, in addition to basic Internet, is less than US$40 per month. And so if Apple were to exceed the price of a basic cable package, there would be very little reason for consumers to “cut the cord” and go with a streaming-only solution from Apple.

    The rumored price range for the service, which said that Apple could launch the service as soon as September with prices ranging from US$30 to US$40 per month. At those prices, it would be more costly than the already-available Sling TV from Dish Network, priced at US$20 per month.

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  • Rumor: Apple in talks with Discovery, Viacom for streaming TV service content

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    Apple is apparently hunting down content for its purported streaming television service.

    The Wall Street Journal now claims Discovery and Viacom are also in talks with Apple to offer programming through the service. Yesterday, the publication cited sources as saying Apple is discussing options with Disney, CBS and 21st Century Fox.

    Netting one or both broadcasters would be a major step for Apple, as Discovery owns the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and TLC, while Viacom controls MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. Viacom was one of the providers rumored to be engaged in direct negotiations with Apple over a similar solution in 2013.

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  • Rumor: Apple talking with content partners, looking to launch streaming television service this fall

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    Apple appears to be building its own television service.

    The technology giant is in talks with programmers to offer a slimmed-down bundle of TV networks this fall, according to sources. The service would have about 25 channels, anchored by broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox and would be available on Apple devices such as the Apple TV, they said.

    For now, the talks don’t involve NBCUniversal, owner of the NBC broadcast network and cable channels like USA and Bravo, because of a falling-out between Apple and NBCUniversal parent company Comcast Corp., the people familiar with the matter said.

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