- Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) takes a larger step into the world of original programming with the hires of execs from Sony (NYSE:SNE) Pictures Television.
- Execs Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg were responsible for a range of popular shows including “Breaking Bad,” “The Blacklist,” “Rescue Me,” and perhaps most notably, “The Crown,” which is distributed by Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX).
- The execs join Apple as co-heads of video programming, under SVP Eddy Cue and backed by the company’s $24B services business, which right now mostly amounts to iTunes and music streaming. CEO Tim Cook wants to double that segment revenue by 2020.
- Original content can keep Apple competitive with the successes of Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Netflix exclusives and draw buyers to Apple TV.
- Apple has slowly rolled out some original programs including a recently released “Shark Tank” inspired app developer competition show called “Planet of the Apps”, which received mixed reviews. A streaming version of James Corden’s “Carpool Karaoke” was also announced.
- Now read: Sell Apple Shares In June, Then Buy Some Back In August
Original article