Apple, who is trying to cut global deals with Hollywood movie studios, has included Australia in a list of countries that the Company wants rights to first run movies for. They are also looking to launch a 55″ OLED TV.Among the rights Apple are after are current TV shows being aired in the USA, claims a Hollywood lawyer who believes that Apple will launch a new TV in 2012.
There is also speculation that Apple has held discussions with LG Display the Company that makes display screens for MAC products, about the possibility of getting access to a new 55″ LG OLED panel that will be used in a new Apple TV that will be capable of delivering music, video & TV shows over an IP network.
On Friday LG said that they will launch a limited production OLED TV late in 2012.
In other Apple news, the Company that has amassed a war chest of $80 Billion dollars in cash and securities was tipped as being interested in acquiring the rights to the Hulu online video service.
The Wall Street Journal said that Hulu would give Apple a new subscription service and represent a possible challenge to Netflix who are also negotiating with Hollywood movies studios for access to movie rights for Australia.
Hulu’s media company owners, Walt Disney, News Corporation and NBC Universal, are offering suitors a five-year extension of program rights, including two years of exclusive access, people familiar with the matter said earlier this week.
“Part of the ecosystem of Apple’s future is to include more video,” said Scott Sutherland, Wedbush Securities Inc. analyst in San Francisco who recommends buying the stock. “It’s something they are focused on.”
Meredith Kendall, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles-based Hulu declined to comment.
