No Apple interest in Premier League rights, says paper
updated 11:00 am EST, Thu January 5, 2012
Company sticking to usual model
Apple isn't planning to bid on the rights to stream English Premier League football games, claims UK newspaper The Guardian. Earlier in the week, the Daily Mail hinted that Apple might compete with traditional media outlets for the property. The Guardian says "it is understood that Apple has not discussed bidding for the rights," though, and moreover adds that the company is "unlikely to do so, despite rumoured plans to launch an Apple TV device."
The paper notes that Apple usually makes money off third-party media by taking a revenue cut through iTunes or App Store sales. Paying for streaming rights would be out of character for Apple, and also duplicate some existing offerings. Archived Premier League matches can be found on the iTunes Store, and any games broadcast by Sky can viewed through the SkyGo app for iOS.
At the same time, streaming Premier League content could be beneficial in attracting people to the Apple TV set-top or the full-scale TV set referred to by The Guardian. In the US, the current set-top is capable of streaming NHL, NBA, and MLB games, in addition to Netflix and iTunes content.
