As iPad launch day draws near, it seems more and more like the device will be a media consumption machine thanks to the efforts of third-party content providers. Both CBS and ABC will be streaming shows for the iPad, Netflix has an iPad app ready for Saturday, and Hulu is said to be preparing to test its subscription service on the device. On top of previous news about iPad streaming, this is a good week for the device and its soon-to-be owners.
Execs from CBS and sources for ABC confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that they were preparing to stream TV shows to the iPad—CBS via the browser (through HTML5, as discussed earlier this week) and ABC through its own dedicated app. CBS plans to have full episodes of Survivor ready by Saturday's iPad launch with more shows coming in the future. "We're working very hard to make as much of it available as possible," CBS Interactive president Neil Ashe told the Journal.
Similarly, ABC's iPad app will offer ad-supported streams, according to insiders speaking to the WSJ. Some of the shows that might be available by Saturday include Desperate Housewives and Lost.
Hulu is also apparently getting ready for the iPad, according to insiders speaking to the New York Times. The company may test its long-discussed subscription plan via an iPad app, though the people briefed on the topic didn't know when such an app would be available. Although Hulu would not officially confirm this plan with the Times, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar acknowledged that tablets in general "allow consumers to serendipitously discover and consume media in every room of the house." Let's just say we would not be surprised in the least to see an iPad app show up in the near future.
Finally, Netflix appears to have reversed its previous stance and developed an iPad app for subscribing customers. First noted by App Advice, the application will allow subscribers to stream TV shows and movies directly to the device. Many observers questioned whether this development was an April Fool's joke, but the screenshots originate from Apple's servers, a strong indication that it is indeed the real deal. Netflix PR did not outright confirm the app to Ars when we contacted the company. However, a Netflix spokesperson did say, "let's see what Saturday brings." If it's fake, then Netflix PR isn't doing a very good job of dispelling the rumor.
All of this comes after news earlier this week that the New York Times and Time would be hopping on the HTML5 bandwagon ahead of the iPad launch. Additionally, TED and Flickr have also announced that they're going with HTML5 streaming video.
At this point, all the cool kids are either already on board with iPad-compatible streaming, or planning to get there soon. Apple doesn't seem to mind, either, even if it means fewer people will buy content from the iTunes Store. Perhaps that's what Steve Jobs was talking about when he told Eric Schmidt, "they're going to see it all eventually so who cares how they get it." (Or maybe that's just our fantasy. If only Apple would take that attitude when it comes to the Apple TV!)
Listing image by Flickr user gothopotam
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