CBS CEO: 'When Apple Calls, You Always Listen'
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is in talks with a host of broadcasters, including local ones, for the launch of its web streaming TV service. CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS) CEO Les Moonves was on CNBC Wednesday to reveal the kind of talks he is having with Apple regarding Apple TV programming.
The Deal
"Well, it's in early discussions, but Apple TV is obviously talking to many of the broadcasters and some of the other cable companies," Moonves said. "I think about making an offering and when Apple calls, you always listen, because obviously everything they have done has been successful. So, it's interesting."
‘You Will Always Need CBS’
Moonves was asked how Apple TV will look and how it will compete with the rest of the offerings of CBS. He replied, "Obviously, we are in an era now where the bundles are changing.
"Sling offered a different service. Sony is in discussions to offer a different service that may not carry 200 channels, but maybe less channels."
He continued, "And Apple is talking about something similar in that [...] it won't be a 200 channel universal, it will be less than that at a lower price and it will be a different offering that's digital. It is online and we think in that universe, we will do better in a 15 to 17 channel universe; we are always going to have to be there. You will always need CBS.”
Moonves confirmed that Apple will be paying more to CBS per subscriber than traditional cable or satellite TV providers.
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