Apple Offers to Share Viewer Data With Potential TV Programming Partners?

Apple is now willing to share viewer data with programming partners in order to get an online TV service off the ground, according to a report from The Post.

The company is willing to share details on who its viewers are, what they watch and when they watch it to entice broadcast networks and others to go along with the service, sources said. The information could help programmers better target shows to viewers and advertisers, who are increasingly chasing niche audiences.

Apple has previously resisted sharing this type of information with its partners; however, it has reportedly been unable to negotiate deals without it.


“They’re allowing a lot more decision-making by the content owner,” said one source familiar with the talks, adding that Apple has told potential partners, “It’s up to you, whatever you guys want to do.”

A source tells The Post that Apple has been talking to Disney, CBS, Fox, and Discovery about supplying content for its 'slimmed-down' package of channels with a price tag at around $20/month. That's lower than a similar report from the WSJ which pegged the price at $30-$40/month. As with previous reports, Apple is said to have had a falling out with Comcast and is no longer in talks with the network. “Apple just realized, it’s never happening and they can’t ever do a deal with them,” one person said.

Apple is apparently willing to write checks to get the deals done in time for a fall launch; however, it doesn't have anything in writing yet, says the site.

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