Apple is in talks with programmers to offer a slimmed-down bundle of TV networks, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing people familiar with the matter. For now, the talks don’t involve NBCUniversal, owner of the NBC broadcast network and cable channels like USA and Bravo, because of a falling-out between Apple and NBCUniversal parent company Comcast Corp. CMCSA -1.48% , the people familiar with the matter said. Meanwhile, Apple has been talking to Walt Disney Co., CBS Corp., and 21st Century Fox Inc., among other media companies. Apple was talking to Walt Disney, CBS and 21st Century Fox and other media companies to offer a “skinny” bundle with well-known channels like CBS, ESPN and FX, leaving out the many smaller networks in the standard cable TV package, the Journal said, with the service expected to be launched in September. The service would have about 25 channels, anchored by broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox, and be available across all devices powered by Apple’s iOS operating system, including iPhones, iPads and Apple TV set-top boxes, the Journal said. The Wall Street Journal reported a year ago that Apple was in talks with Comcast to team up on a streaming TV service that would use an Apple set-top box and get special treatment on Comcast’s cable pipes to bypass congestion on the Web.
– After years of rumors and false starts, Apple is finally going to launch an online TV service this fall, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cites "people familiar with the matter." The Journal's sources say Apple is in talks to provide a bundle of around 25 channels starting in September, with the service—which would include a huge back catalog, as well as online streaming—available on all Apple devices for $30 or $40 a month. The insiders say NBC has been left out of the talks for now because of a disagreement over the set-top box streaming service Apple was discussing with NBC parent company Comcast last year. Fox and CBS, which are said to be in talks with Apple, declined to comment, the Guardian reports. Last week, Apple and HBO announced that they were partnering on the "HBO Now" streaming service, which will be available starting next month.