Apple is still in talks with major movie studios alongside Comcast for a service that would make digital movie rentals available for new releases just weeks after hitting theaters, according to a new report from Bloomberg detailing the negotiations.
The studios involved in the talks with Apple and Comcast include Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures, but so far the companies have been “unable to arrive at a mutually beneficial way to create a $30 to $50 premium movie-download product,” the report notes:
Bloomberg first reported the ongoing negotiations with studios last year, but today’s report adds that deals with distribution partners like Apple could be reached as soon as early next year for such a service.
Some studios like Disney aren’t interested in being involved in the project, according to the report. Lions Gate Entertainment, on the other hand, told Bloomberg they expect to see this type of service “introduced in the next 12 months.”
The report is the latest detailing Apple’s behind the scenes effort at building a new paid video service, but it’s unclear how these movie rentals could play into Apple’s other reported negotiations for premium TV bundles and a subscription video service.
