Apple Plots New TV Service

CBS and Disney are both interested in Apple's reported plan to package and sell television subscriptions over the Internet, offering some TV shows from U.S. networks via its iTunes store for a monthly fee. Though nothing is set in stone, Apple's plan could fundamentally change the television business, as networks would be looking at a different kind of revenue stream and cable and satellite providers' power would be threatened. Some versions of the proposal had the computer company offering media conglomerates anywhere between $1 and $4 a subscriber, depending on the size of the network—a much higher figure than those companies would see from traditional distributors. Still, many are skeptical: News Corp, Viacom and Time Warner all seem to be leaning away from the deal.