Apple has signed a new confidential licensing deal with Rovi today, a deal that has at least one analyst claiming Apple will release a Web-connected HDTV with live TV and DVR in the future.
Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray calls the deal strong evidence of an upcoming HDTV.
Rovi is the company behind the interactive program guide used by many cable/satellite operators and set-top box makers.
Says Munster (via AI): “We believe this announcement is further evidence that Apple is developing live TV and DVR features for its Apple TV product, and will likely launch an all-in-one Apple Television in the next 2-4 years. Following its deal with Rovi, Apple would be clear to add live TV, DVR and guidance features to its Apple TV product, which we believe is a critical step towards an all-in-one Apple Television.”
Apple launched an updated Apple TV earlier this month.
Although it is unclear, Munster believes the deal will cost Apple $10 million per year.
Result for: new deal
Time Warner Cable has signed a new deal with Disney this week, giving their subscribers free access to the sports site ESPN3.
Because of the deal, 12.7 million Time Warner subscribers and 2.4 million Bright House subscribers will get free access to the site, and the ability to stream full games.
During the recent World Cup, ESPN says almost 8 million people tuned into the site at one point during the tournament.
The cable companies had long held out on ESPN3, citing excessive fees from Disney.
Additionally, the agreement will allow TW and BH to continue carrying the Disney Channel, ABC Family, Disney XD and ESPN 3D.
Result for: new deal
Google has announced that the most popular video sharing site on the planet, YouTube, will now offer full-length, current episodes of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) programming.
The new deal will include current episodes of Friday Night Smackdown, WWE NXT, WWE Superstars, and ECW.
Additionally, there will be more footage from Monday Night Raw, classic matches, and interview videos with “WWE Superstars and Divas like John Cena, Chris Jericho and Alicia Fox.”
The WWE’s official YouTube channel is here: http://www.youtube.com/user/WWEFanNation
YouTube’s new deal should help it compete with “catch-up” programming services like Hulu, since the WWE will be making brand new episodes available within 24 hours of its broadcast day.
