Apple is hunting around Hollywood to form a new business focused on high-quality original TV shows and movies and to start offering scripted content by the end of this year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
But rather than using that strategy and spending the dollars it would require to take on the likes of Amazon, Netflix and HBO, the idea centers on helping the $10 per month Apple Music service gain ground on rival music streaming service Spotify, and to help to offset slowing sales of products like the iPhone and iPad, the paper said.
Per the WSJ, Apple, which reportedly once had its eye on Time Warner, is in talks with “veteran producers” about securing rights to scripted TV series and looking into full-length movies as well.
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Though Apple Music already offers some originals, such as documentary programs and titles like Carpool Karaoke (via a deal with CBS), the new plan would be to develop more ambitious, high-acclaim series akin to HBO’s Westworld and Netflix’s Stranger Things, the WSJ said.
Last year, Apple hired former Time Warner Cable exec Peter Stern in a VP role focused on the company’s subscription services, including Apple Music.
