Think apple will release a "Watch-Now" service?

[TJunkers]

I am hoping apple does. It would compete with Netflix and make the Apple TV more worth getting for people who don't own one. It would be awesome to pay a monthly fee and be able to watch tons of movies off iTunes! Even have the capability to put them on your iPod / iPhone.

I know that's what Netflix is for, but until they add Watch Now to the Apple TV, I am hoping Apple works this out some how.

 

[themoonisdown09]

That would be an awesome feature, but I doubt they add that any time soon.

 

[spice weasel]

I'm inclined to think that Apple will resist such a move, at least for the time being. However, as Netflix streaming and sites such as Hulu gain in popularity and content, Apple is going to be forced to consider ways it might compete. Right now its advantage is picture quality, ability to own copies of your TV shows (and SD movies), and no commercials. I think a monthly subscription for TV show streaming and the ability to purchase HD movies would add tremendous value to the Apple TV. There are lots of people out there who want to ditch their cable provider, and Apple should take full advantage.

 

[dmm219]

There are lots of people out there who want to ditch their cable provider, and Apple should take full advantage.

Is it that hard to see? I just don't understand how Apple and other companies don't seem to "get" it yet. These set top boxes will continue to fail, until one of them finally comes along to be a cheaper and better replacement for cable tv. Movies are great and all, and they need that. But with competition like netflix and the rapidly falling prices of BR players, it's clear the movie market alone is one where apple will fail. They NEED to figure out a way to turn apple tv into a TRUE tv, to complete with cable and satellite. Imagine having your entire TV experience on one little box. I small, portable box you can take with you, and have work just like at does at home, while in hotels, or with relatives?

Imagine having the choice of subsciption or ala cart for your TV. (contrary to what most people will think on these forums, the 95% of the REST of the country would FAR prefer ala cart, with full availablity).

Ofcourse you'd also need the ability to rent or own your movies and tv shows.

Right now, Hulu kinda makes this somewhat a reality. Hulu on ATV, in my opinion, makes the ATV the ONLY acceptable cable replacement out there (but definitely, not great).

ATV will never win in the home theatre department. I shouldn't even compete there. If ATV were to succeed, (or any other box), it will have to be a cheaper, freer alternative to cable and sat companies that can easily sit in anyone's living room, and have anyone use. Apple needs to learn a little from Nintendo these days...

 

[FaasNat]

If Apple released a watch now service similar to that of Hulu (free -- I don't mind the few 30 second commercial breaks), I would start using Apple's iTunes for TV shows. I've watched 100+ shows on Hulu and 0 in iTunes.

 

[spice weasel]

If Apple released a watch now service similar to that of Hulu (free -- I don't mind the few 30 second commercial breaks), I would start using Apple's iTunes for TV shows. I've watched 100+ shows on Hulu and 0 in iTunes.

I'd gladly watch commercials for free TV. I'd also gladly pay a subscription fee to watch commercial-free shows so long as it wasn't exorbitant. I just hate paying Comcast $90 a month for digital cable, a DVR, and a ton of channels that I could give a little rodent's butt about.

 

[BoulderBum]

I don't think Apple would ever want to introduce a streaming service for iTunes movies (it already has it for YouTube and Podcasts in Apple TV).

Permanent downloads and even rentals have the advantage of being portable to iPhones and iPods, even in places where they wouldn't have internet access (like a plane).

I, for one, would never want to lose this capability if given the choice, especially if there's no price difference in the rentals.

Now having an ad-supported, or all-you-can eat subscription model to older movies and TV shows similar to Hulu and Netflix might be worthwhile, but even then I'd still like the option to download and take with me, if only temporarily.

 

[bergmef]

I'm still hoping for tv show rentals. Maybe half price, no 30 day limit but when you start watching them you have 24 hours to finish. My cable would be gone in a heartbeat.

EDIT - HD versions!