To no one's surprise, Apple is mulling over plans to begin producing original programming, according to a Variety report that details the tech giant's inevitable contest with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and YouTube. Apple representatives declined to comment for Variety's piece, but here are a few takeaways you should know:
• The company is meeting with Hollywood executives to gauge interest in producing original content that Apple will host. Prospective development and production divisions could be introduced soon, with eyes on a full operation in place by next year. It's unclear how much of the heavy lifting will be done in-house, as opposed to purchasing distribution rights to titles from established studios, as Netflix did with this year's "Beasts of No Nation" and "The Ridiculous Six."
• There's no word on whether the plans will include movies, TV series or both.
• Apple made a bid earlier this year to work with the stars of BBC motor show "Top Gear" on a new series, which ultimately landed at Amazon.
• The Apple TV, which is reportedly due for an upgrade announcement at the company's press event next week, could play a big part in these plans. Regardless, it's unclear whether the programming would take the form of a subscription VOD model akin to Netflix or a network-based buffet like the Sony PlayStation Vue, or whether Apple will stick to the pay-per-download approach it currently employs on iTunes.
For more on Apple's initiative, head to Variety.
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