Media Apps for the Apple TV?

[BC2009]

So I recently noticed that SlingMedia stopped making their "SlingCatcher" which was essentially a set-top box version of their SlingPlayer that came with a remote (i.e.: watch your downstairs TV components upstairs or watch your home TV while in a vacation home).

I was thinking that if Apple opened up the Apple TV for iOS apps, how easy it would be to port the SlingPlayer app for Apple TV with controls via the Apple Remote or via an iPhone/iPod Touch.

Lots of other apps that are basically content-apps would work great too like:
abc.com
Disney
Hulu Plus (though we know the issues here)
ABC News
CNN
Discovery Channel
MLB
BBC

Networks could embed commercials if they like and even track ratings for their shows. In addition to their website they could offer their own presentation on your television.

Sure it would really upset the cable companies and the local TV affiliates, but wouldn't it be great for the consumers (the people they are advertising to)?

Oh how great it would be if you could subscribe to exactly the "channels" you wanted by simply downloading that application and running it on your Apple TV (or Google TV for that matter).

Only problem is that I predict if we were all watching TV via our Internet connections that the price of broadband Internet services would go up (the cable company has to make their money somewhere).

 

[bigpatky]

Only problem is that I predict if we were all watching TV via our Internet connections that the price of broadband Internet services would go up (the cable company has to make their money somewhere).

At this point, these apps (for me, at least) would be used to supplement my current tv service and not replace.

 

[BoulderBum]

I agree that such services would be absolutely killer!

In fact, if the Apple TV had an app store and content providers followed through and created apps, I think the Apple TV would be a monster hit. Add games that could be controlled using an iPhone/iPod Touch like a Wii controller and I think you create a must-have device.

Alas, there's no app store (yet), but it's starting to sound like many of the services offered through the app store can be streamed to an Apple TV through AirPlay, so while it's not ideal, MLB, Vimeo and other services may be able to show up on your TV.

Also, for CNN and a few other networks, they actually have a good assortment of free video podcasts, so it's like you already have their "app".