HBO on Apple TV: Could Apple and HBO be Teaming Up Soon Enough?

HBO on Apple TV: Millions of people love Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV. Of these people, it is safe to say that a large number enjoy watching HBO from time to time. For this reason, it is only natural that Apple begins to offer the HBO Go application in the near future.

According to a report by Bloomberg, it may not be long until this becomes reality. The two companies are said to be in negotiations, with the potential for a partnership by mid-2013.

Here is more information from the article:

“Cable and satellite subscribers who pay for HBO will be able to watch more than 600 hours of films and television shows on Apple TV, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Apple TV is a set-top device that streams content purchased on iTunes and via other online services to consumers’ televisions.”

There is no denying the fact that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV faces stiff competition from the likes of Microsoft and Roku. However, the ability to offer HBO, along with Hulu Plus and Netflix, may give the Cupertino-based company the boost it needs to move to the top of the industry.

If things move forward as planned, the partnership would be a first in many ways. From the same article:

“HBO Go is only available to customers who subscribe to the network through their cable or satellite service, and would be the first app on Apple TV that requires pay-TV authentication. There are currently HBO Go apps for the iPad and iPhone.”

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is selling more TV boxes than ever before, with roughly 2 million units sold in the fiscal first quarter.

Does this mean that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will be releasing a television at some point in 2013? As of now, the company is still quiet on this rumor. However, here is some information from Bloomberg to chew on:

“This is an area of intense interest for us,” Apple’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in response to a question about a television during the company’s first-quarter earnings call on Jan. 23. “I tend to believe that there’s a lot we can contribute in this space. And so we continue to pull the string and see where it leads us.”

While Cook did not come out and say that an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV is in the pipeline, it is easy to see that the company is quite interested in diving further into the industry.

For the time being, this is a great start. We will keep you updated on the negotiations between Apple and HBO.

Check back here for more updates on HBO on Apple TV.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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