Apple is bolstering the streaming video lineup for its Apple TV set-top box with the launch of new channels from HBO, ESN, Sky News, Crunchyroll and Qello.
The HBO Go and WatchESPN channels will only be available in the US for now, while Sky News will be available in the US, UK and Ireland. Anime-focused Crunchroll and music channel Qello will be available more widely, including the UK.
Alongside the new channels, Apple has announced some stats on sales of TV shows and films through its iTunes Store. The company says iTunes users have downloaded more than 1bn TV episodes and 380m films from its digital store.
They're currently buying more than 800,000 episodes and 350,000 movies a day. That compares to around 21.6m songs a day and around 66.7m apps, based on recent milestones announced by Apple for those content types.
The new Apple TV channels build on Apple's relationships with HBO and ESPN on the iOS App Store. "HBO GO and WatchESPN are some of the most popular iOS apps and are sure to be huge hits on Apple TV," said senior vice president of internet software and services Eddy Cue in a statement.
They join Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vimeo, YouTube and Flickr as dedicated Apple TV channels, as well as US sporting bodies MLB, the NBA and the NHL.
In the cases of Crunchyroll and Qello, new users will be able to sign up for the services from their Apple TV. HBO Go will require an existing subscription through US television providers, continuing the network's strategy of not offering on-demand access to its shows to "cord-cutters" who don't have a cable TV contract.
The launches further bolster Apple TV, which is widely seen as a step towards an even more ambitious move into the television market by Apple.
Source: The Guardian
