Disney, CBS interested in iTunes TV delivery

A report published in the Wall Street Journal indicates Apple plans to create a new monthly subscription portion of iTunes dedicated to TV content, with CBS and Disney already interested in providing shows for the new service.

If the company is able to finalize licensing deals, the new service could go live as early as Q1 2010, according to analysts.  The new streaming feature of iTunes could also be implemented into a reported Internet tablet that Apple is expected to launch as early as next March.

iTunes is a popular MP3 and movie download service, but streaming TV content — which is a new revenue stream the company hasn’t been able to tap into yet — could help attract new users to the service.  Furthermore, streaming TV could help generate new interest in Apple’s struggling Apple TV set-top box, which has significantly lost out to other set-top boxes.

Apple is also reportedly working with several other broadcasters, but other companies haven’t been named.  After Apple announced its recent purchase of Lala, most speculation surrounded a new Apple music streaming service, not a TV content business.

Admittedly, I’m not the biggest iTunes user, but Apple understands that the ability to stream TV content could prove valuable to its millions of users.  Premium streaming services are on the rise, with Hulu and YouTube expected to roll out paid options. iTunes TV show streaming, if successful, could force other services to alter their business plans.

Apple will have stiff competition, especially from Comcast, which most recently purchased NBC, as the company will not go down without a fight against the computer powerhouse.