CBS CEO says the network will 'probably' be a part of Apple’s rumored streaming TV service
In a new interview with Bloomberg TV, CBS CEO Les Moonves says that the network will likely sign a deal with Apple to join its rumored streaming TV service:
“Apple is having conversations with everyone about doing their own streaming services,” Moonves said in an interview Wednesday on Bloomberg TV. “We have had those conversations, as have the other networks. Do I think something will happen? Probably, but I do not know when.”
CBS is the nation’s biggest network and has a number of popular series like “NCIS” and “The Big Bang Theory.” So the network signing on would be a big win for Apple.
Interestingly, Moonves also said that CBS is talking with Facebook and Netflix about live, streaming TV services.
News of the streaming service surfaced earlier this year. Apple is aiming to offer channels from a number of popular content providers. The service is rumored to cost around $40 per month and even include local stations. It will be heavily integrated in the Apple ecosystem and reportedly be accessible through the Mac, Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad.
At one time, Apple was reportedly aiming to launch the service at WWDC or at the iPhone 6s event in September. But stalled negotiations with content providers have pushed the date back to sometime next year.
Even though the streaming service has yet to take off, Apple did introduce a heavily revamped Apple TV set-top box. It will debut sometime this month and start at $149.