Broadcasting

Apple’s Eddy Cue outlined the company’s strategy for sports rights, focusing on innovation and differentiated experiences. While interested in acquiring rights, Apple seeks opportunities to deliver something “unique and special,” aiming to disrupt traditional broadcasting models. Cue highlighted issues like blackouts and content fragmentation, referencing Apple TV+’s MLS broadcasting as an example of improvement. Apple is experimenting with broadcasting techniques, seeking a “level of differentiation” by improving video quality and exploring unconventional camera angles. The company views sports rights as a way to reshape how sports are consumed globally.

China is rapidly accelerating its transition to Ultra-High Definition (UHD) television. Guangdong and Shenzhen TV are launching 4K UHD channels on June 28th, accessible nationwide via cable and IPTV. By 2025, more major provincial broadcasters will follow suit. The State Administration of Radio and Television (SART) is coordinating the effort with the distribution of millions more UHD set-top boxes, while SD channels are being phased out, streamlining broadcasting and user experience.