Apple reportedly talking to HBO, Showtime, and Starz for its upcoming video service

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Ahead of the company’s March 25^th event for the rumoured video subscription service, Apple is reportedly in talks with HBO, Showtime, and Starz to provide content. The company’s own original programming is reportedly not far along enough to be ready when the service launches. And that’s why it needs partners to provide content for its service. These three aforementioned networks are reportedly still negotiating over things like user experience and marketing, but a deal might be reached with some of them by Friday. Netflix and Hulu were reportedly in talks with Apple before but neither wanted anything to do with the service.

Bloomberg’s report suggests the service will live inside the Apple TV app for iOS and Apple TV, but it isn’t clear yet what this is going to look like or how it’ll affect non-subscribers who have Apple TV. We’re set to find out answers to these questions soon. We’re also geared to hear more about Apple’s new magazine subscription service. It’s being reported that these two will be separate subscriptions but there might be bundles to entice users to get both. The magazine subscription service is expected to be part of the Apple News app.

Source: The Verge

‘Game of Thrones’ to come back for its final season on April 14th

The beginning of the end is here… at least three months from now. Game of Thrones final season will be coming on April 14, 2019. It’s going to be a six-episode season that HBO chief Richard Plepler has previous described as “six movies.” Rumour has it that each episode is 90 minutes long, which is the length of some feature films. This might be the end for Game of Thrones but we’ll still be hearing more tales from George R.R. Martin’s massive world. HBO has several spinoffs in the works. The Long Night, a prequel series set “thousands of years” before the current show, has already been ordered to shoot a pilot.

A mobile MMO based on ‘Game of Thrones’ is now up for pre-registration

If you’re suffering from Game of Thrones withdrawals, perhaps an upcoming massive multiplayer online (MMO) game based on the show might hit the spot? Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and HBO Global Licensing, together with game developer Turbine, just unveiled an upcoming game called Game of Thrones: Conquest and they’ve put it up for pre-registration on its official site. If you pre-register for the game you can get US$50 worth of free in-game content when it goes live.  These include Night’s Watch training gear and gold and resources you’ll need to gain control over the Iron Throne.

Yes, this MMO lets you control your own powerful house in Westeros as you’ll try to claim the Iron Throne. You can rule your house however you choose—through giant armies, forged alliances, etc. Of course, you’re expected to defend your own house at the same time. The game is expected to launch later this year on both Android and iOS.

Source: Android Authority

HBO’s ‘True Detective’ is coming back for season three, Mahershala Ali takes lead role

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To say True Detective has been through a lot is an understatement. What was considered a great show in its first season fell by the wayside by its second season. And as The New York Times reports, few people expected it to make a comeback. But the show, which one starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, will be coming back for season 3 and this time, Oscar winner Mahershala Ali is taking the lead. He’ll be playing a state detective in Northwest Arkansas as a crime happens in the Ozark Mountains.

Not much else is known about the show but its creator Nic Pizzolatto will be writing most of the season and directed several episodes. David Milch, the creator of HBO series like Deadwood and Luck co-wrote one episode with Pizzolatto. For the rest of the season, Jeremy Saulnier will be taking the role of director. No word yet on when the show is coming out as well.