Apple’s Eddy Cue denies interest in purchasing a media giant
Apple’s head of content Eddy Cue has shot down rumours that the technology giant could buy its way into the media industry by mounting a major takeover of an existing player after it unveiled a new TV show.
‘Planet of the Apps’ is a reality television series tracking competing app developers as they vie for investment but the real interest behind the story lies in Apple’s true intent behind this landmark release.
Inevitably such moves sparked speculation that Apple might be hungry to devour a big-name media company with analysts quick to ponder whether the likes of Sony Pictures, Netflix or Time Warner could be in the frame.
Dismissing such speculation out of hand however when this was put to him by Recode Cue remarked: “We're trying to do things that are unique and cultural. ... We think we have a real opportunity in the TV space to do that with Apple Music and shows and the things we're trying to do aren't being done by anybody else. ... So yes, to the extent if we wanted to do what everybody else is doing, then you’re right, we might be better off buying somebody or doing that.
“But that’s not what we're trying to do. We are trying to do something that’s unique, takes advantage of our platforms and that really brings culture to it. ... Right now we think we can do that with partners like Ben and we don’t see that anywhere else.”
Instead it seems the series has been designed to promote Apple Music the series is a key differentiating factor with arch rival Spotify and boasts some big name backing in the form of producer Ben Silverman, former co-chair of NBC Entertainment whose previous roll call includes the US iteration of The Office.