Stick & Ball TV announced today the launch of a baseball training and lifestyle network that will be coming to the Apple TV through its iOS app. It will have live and on-demand instructional videos and original content designed for players of all ages, as well as coaches. Stick & Ball TV’s CEO Jeremy Harrell said: “The response from coaches, players and industry partners has been overwhelming. Our coaches and partners recognize the passion we possess and see the potential of our streaming platform. They want to join forces to do something that has a long-term, positive impact on the game we love.” The app is free to download and you can get a free 30-day free trial. After that, premium subscriptions will start at US$9.99/month or US$99/year. You can use the code LAUNCH20 to save 20% on an annual subscription, which is valid until April 25.
Apple TV
Prince Harry, Oprah to Make Mental Health Docu-Series for Apple TV+
Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey will be creating a documentary series on mental health for Apple’s TV+ service.
Julianne Moore Will Star in Apple’s ‘Lisey’s Story’ Series
Apple won a bidding war for an adaptation of Stephen King’s horror-romance called Lisey’s Story, starring Julianne Moore.
Apple's Slice of Medical Industry, Apple TV Hardware and Competition, with John Martellaro - ACM 507
Apple says that it wants a tiny sliver of the ginormous medical industry, and Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-cohost John Martellaro to discuss what that might look like. They also discuss Apple TV hardware, what Apple’s new TV+ announcement might mean for its hardware business, and the state of Apple TV’s competition.
Sign up for 4 Months of DirecTV Now, Get a Free 4K Apple TV
DirecTV Now is offering customers a free 4K Apple TV when you prepay for four months of service.
4K Apple TV (32 GB): Ends 4/30/2019. New sub’s only. Must prepay first four months of service at full price. Requires minimum $50/mo. subscription before taxes. Device and prepayment are nonrefundable. New subscribers only. Online orders will be shipped via FedEx ground to address provided. Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery. Offer limited to 1 per DIRECTV NOW account; 2 per shipping address. Not combinable with select offers. 4k HD not avail. w/DIRECTV NOW.
Have a Third-Gen Apple TV? You'll Get The New TV App
People who have the third-generation Apple TV model will be able to get the new TV app shown during Monday’s keynote.
Apple's "It's Show Time" Media Event – TMO Daily Observations 2019-03-25
Today is all about Apple’s Media Event “It’s Show Time,” Charlotte Henry and John Martellaro join Kelly to discuss what was announced today.
Apple TV Sports Has its Own Human Curation
In a new report today we find that Apple TV Sports has its own curation team, watching for newsworthy and unpredictable moments.
Mac Pricing and Cord Cutting, with Bob LeVitus - ACM 504
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin is joined by guest-cohost Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus to examine the ins and outs of Apple’s Mac pricing. It’s no simple issue, and they dig deep into what appears to be Apple’s strategy. They also talk about the realities of cord cutting today, with Bob’s own situation serving as the example scenario.
DIRECTV Gets Apple TV App Integration
AT&T has integrated DIRECTV with Apple TV. Users can now discover content on the service via the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.
Brie Larson Stars in CIA Drama for Apple
Apple has ordered a straight-to-series CIA drama based on an upcoming memoir by Amaryllis Fox. It will star Brie Larson.
Spectrum TV Comes to Apple TV For $15
Charter Spectrum TV Essentials will be coming to the Apple TV for US$14.99/month plus tax.
Apple Video Launch Targeted for April
The Apple video launch is rumored to launch in April or early May. It sounds like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO won’t be part of it.
FuboTV Comes to the Apple TV App
This means that subscribers can connect their account directly within iOS.
Apple Plans to Break Down the Cable Bundle
Tim Cook made interesting comments during the Q1 2019 earnings report. He talked about Apple’s role in the breakdown of the cable bundle.
Apple Could Launch a Gaming Subscription Service
Rumors suggest that Apple plans to launch a gaming subscription service described as a “Netflix for games.”
David Weil, Simon Kinberg to Produce for Apple
Sci-fi lovers rejoice! A 10-episode season of a sci-fi series is coming to the company’s unnamed video platform from David Weil and Simon Kinberg.
New Priorities led to Amazon and Apple's new Partnerships, but the Peace won't Last Forever
Apple and Amazon have taken a more collaborative approach recently, does not amount to a full-blown, long-term partnership.
Apple's Lame Emphasis on Services, 8K TVs Are the Future, with John Martellaro - ACM 496
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro hear Apple CEO Tim Cook talk up services and they explain why it makes them nervous. They also talk about the future of 8K TVs and how they will inevitably take over the industry.
TV's Role in Apple's Services Strategy
The announcement yesterday that Samsung TVs will get a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps is a big deal. As is the news that Samsung, VIZIO, Sony, and LG are going to integrate AirPlay 2 into their TV offerings. I made that case on TMO Daily Observations on Monday. Pete Kafka at Re/Code has a really incisive piece of analysis looking at the fallout of the Samsung announcement. He lays out how Apple is moving into becoming a services company, or at least how it is making its services business more important, and how TV is part of this strategy.
The obvious and accurate takeaway is that Apple has conceded that Apple TV, the device that was supposed to help it own the living room, isn’t succeeding — it trails Roku, Google and Amazon in streaming market share — and that Apple needs to be on more devices if it is going to sell more services — which is its plan to combat slumping iPhone sales.
Apple TV 4K Features HDMI 2.0a. But HDMI 2.1 is Coming
4K/UHD TV is now mainstream. But new 8K TVs are coming. CNET writes: “The current version of the ubiquitous HDMI [2.0] audio video connection can handle pretty much every video format available today, but with 8K on the horizon, TV and other hardware makers could hit its limits in the next few years. That’s where HDMI 2.1 comes in.”
This article fills you in on the new standard, what video protocols it supports, which TV makers are moving to it in 2019, and whether you’ll need new cables.
Apple TV as Cable Box – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-04
John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Kelly Guimont to chat about the new Charter Cable app for Apple TV and the current state of cable.
Charter Spectrum App Rolls Out to Apple TV
After missing the 2018 deadline the Charter Spectrum app is finally available on Apple TV with zero sign-on support.
Justin Lin, Director of 'Fast and the Furious' Signs Apple Deal
Mr. Lin—with his production company Perfect Storm Entertainment—will develop, produce, and direct content that will emphasize a “global perspective.”