Apple Announces New TV Deal, New Box

On the eve of the Beatles 50th anniversary of their US invasion on the Ed Sullivan TV Show, Apple TV has announced a Beatles channel. The move will allow fans of the fab four to watch the bands historic appearance that catapulted them to a hysteria that remains unparalleled to this day. At one point, nearly every slot in the American top 10 was dominated by a Beatles tune. Despite the fact that the US population was substantially smaller than it is now, the group posted sales records that rival what Beyoncé and others accomplish via digital downloads.

In addition, the Beatles’ US albums will now be available from Apple iTunes. The early releases in the US had some different recordings and album art than the UK versions. News of the Beatles TV channel was made without fanfare. It merely appeared on Apple TV this past Monday. The name of the channel is simply the band’s name. Now, it appears that the image quality has not been enhanced so viewers will have to cope with the grainy black & white footage from that historic day. It would be a treat beyond measure if somehow the footage could be enhanced to high def to see with vivid detail the four men who redefined Rock ‘n’ Roll.

That’s Not All Apple Has In Store For the Near Future

Apple is planning to introduce a new Apple TV set-top box as early as April and is negotiating with Time Warner Cable Inc. and other potential partners to add video content, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Apple is aiming to have the device available for sale by the Christmas holidays, though the release date could change because the company is still in the process of securing new agreements with programming and distribution partners, said two people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private.

The new device, which plugs into a television set, will have a faster processor than the previous version and an upgraded interface to make it easier for customers to navigate between TV shows, movies and other online content, one person said. An agreement with Time Warner Cable would mark the first such deal with a pay-TV provider.

Tom Neumayr, a spokesman for Cupertino, California-based Apple, declined to comment, as did Maureen Huff, a spokeswoman for New York-based Time Warner Cable.

On The Web:
Apple releases a Beatles channel for the Apple TV, and other news from Feb. 10, 2014
http://www.tuaw.com/2014/02/11/apple-releases-a-beatles-channel-for-the-apple-tv-and-other-news/

50th anniversary of Beatles on Ed Sullivan celebrated with new Apple TV channel
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/02/10/50th-anniversary-of-beatles-on-ed-sullivan-celebrated-with-new-apple-tv-channel