Apple has been busy buying television shows as it dips its toes into the entertainment industry. Now reports suggest we will begin seeing Apple’s programming as early as March 2019.
According to the New York Times, Apple currently has 12 projects in the works and nine of them are straight-to-series orders. The publication’s sources said that those shows could start becoming available between March and summer 2019.
As Apple starts taking on the likes of Amazon, HBO and Netflix with its reported $1 billion content budget, the company has lined up programming including a series about a morning TV show starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. Apple has also booked a series from “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle, an “Amazing Stories” reboot from Steven Spielberg and an animated series from the creator of Fox’s “Bob’s Burgers.”
RELATED: Apple executive Cue offers up some clues about company’s video service
Apple has been busy hiring executives for its video business, beginning last year when it hired Sony Pictures Televisions alums Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht to run the show.
But the company has yet to reveal how it will distribute its new wealth of original programming and how much it might charge. But Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue did offer up a few more details about the service.
Speaking at SXSW, Cue said that there will be a “surprise” technology angle to Apple’s video service, according to 9to5Mac.
Cue focused on how the video team, which he said is comprised of about 40 people now, is approaching entrance into the entertainment space. He said that Apple is all-in on entertainment but will focus on longform quality content instead of releasing tons of shows. He backed away from rumors that Apple could go after acquiring a company like Disney or Netflix, which he referred to as great partners.