CBS CEO Les Moonves did an interview with Bloomberg Business. The video is linked here, though be aware it autoplays.
If you are interested at all in the TV business and the moving pieces like Netflix, Hulu, the networks, Apple TV, this is a fantastic interview, not too long, full of interesting tidbits.
At the very end of the interview, Moonves is asked, “How close are you to a deal with Apple”. Moonves replies:
Apple is having conversation with everybody about doing their own streaming services, we’ve had those conversations, as have the other networks. Do I think something will happen? Probably, but I don’t know when.
To me, this is a party line kind of comment, not at all an indicator of progress or lack of progress. I see a lot of headlines that focus on this tiny part of an incredibly interesting interview. I feel like this is a bit of missing the forest for the trees.
The TV business, like that of consumer tech, fascinates me. But I’m hoping this interview with Moonves shows something other than a few minutes of a suit full of pus masquerading as a person. I don’t expect to be pleasantly surprised, but hope springs eternal.
I disagree with those saying that Apple needs a streaming service or is even trying to make one. I think these talks are to get more nets to make apps, to open them up to direct subscriptions or even to allow Apple to charge say $30 a month to validate as a provider.