(08-21-2023 09:12 AM)Eggszecutor Wrote: There's no direct evidence that Apple is even considering buying Disney or ESPN. These reports/rumors are coming from market analysts that are just guessing/hoping. There's a good bet that these guys want this to happen to line their own pockets and are simply trying to push this agenda.
Really, how does Apple make money off of this? Subscriptions to Apple TV? I'm an investor in Apple, and it feels like they simple don't care as much about Apple TV and its success compared to other streaming rivals. They had their chance 5-10 years ago to make a big splash and become a major streaming player, but they simply haven't made the investment there to succeed. Maybe that's Disney/ESPN+, but how to they make it more profitable?
Also, as we have seen with their negotiating with the PAC-12, they don't seem to want to make serious bids on sports properties to make sure they are a player. If they bought ESPN/Disney, but can't come to an agreement the next time the SEC's deal is up, what happens? Does FOX win? Do they get both the B1G/SEC properties? Do they choose between the two? Would they dump the B1G? Would they just cherry-pick the leagues and make a super league? FOX sold a lot of their assets to Disney a few years back. Would they turn around and just buy/merge with Disney?
Greetings fellow Apple owner. They've yet to invite me to the board.
Apple doesn't like being in the commodity business.
Unless they can offer something distinct, they crow hop around it.
So far they've not figured out how to make a set top box that is a must have device. They are tinkering some using the Apple TV+ app to fiddle with interface but so far it's just a slicker version of whatever the heck google calls their TV dongle.
Being app driven and dependent on that app being available in a download section on Roku, Google, or Amazon isn't anything Apple is going all in on.
Sportswise, they are doing for MLS what I've argued needs to happen with ESPN+ and that's alternate audio. Most ESPN+ college content is produced by the local school and ranged for YEEEHAAWWW WE SCORED, to attempted neutrality undermined by the fact there is one team they see play repeatedly and one they do not. MLS on Apple offers neutral announcers in English and Spanish and also French if a Canadian team is playing and often also offers the radio of one of the teams. ESPN+ where you can listen to the visiting team radio would be a nice improvement.
Apple has shown top notch production values for MLB and MLS. They were offering $300 million a year for Pac-12 with bonuses based on performance. They were in the Sunday Ticket negotiations until late. But for a late charge by Google were thought to be a lock to get the package.
So it's a situation that just doesn't fit normal Apple behavior.
My two-bit guess is they want AppleTV+ to matter and ESPN is a good path. A premium priced subscription only available via their app that likely offers attractive perks for people using an Apple device (ie dedicated camera views on select games, stat overlays, etc.) gives some insulation from a future dispute with Roku, Google, Amazon over making the app available on their devices.
