Apple’s cable-killer might be launching a bit later than we expected

We’ve been hearing about Apple’s video streaming service for quite some time now, but while everyone was expecting the company to launch the new service sometime this fall, Re/code is reporting that problems on the negotiating table could delay things a bit. The complexities surrounding local broadcast from networks such as ABC and CBS, which Apple is very intent on carrying, are preventing the company from releasing the service within the coming months. In fact, it looks like Apple hasn’t even signed up any providers yet. 

Apple’s long-rumored streaming video service could be slipping away once again, as the company reportedly struggles to get TV programmers on board. Apple wanted to launch the service in the fall with roughly 25 channels, priced around $30 to $40 per month, unnamed industry sources said in March. A new report from Re/code says Apple has hit a couple of roadblocks. The biggest hurdle involves local broadcasts from networks such as ABC, CBS, and Fox. Apple is reportedly intent on carrying these networks, but the negotiations for streaming can get complicated because the networks don’t own all their local stations. Some markets rely on affiliates or a franchise system, which leads to rights issues and the need for new infrastructure in certain cases. For these reasons, even the networks themselves can’t easily offer live TV streaming in every market. And while an earlier Wall Street Journal report said Apple was negotiating with several media companies, including Disney and Fox, Re/code’s sources say Apple hasn’t actually signed up any TV providers yet. For that reason, a rumored announcement of the service at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June seems unlikely. The new report doesn’t say when Apple’s TV service might launch, but notes that TV executives are optimistic it’ll arrive eventually.