Comcast Says It’s Not Talking to Apple About Apple TV, Because Apple Hasn’t Asked

Apple is talking to TV programmers about a new Web TV service it would like to launch in 2015. But for now, it’s not talking to NBCUniversal, the company that owns NBC and a host of high-profile cable channels. That’s not because the programmer doesn’t want to be part of the service, says NBCUniversal* owner Comcast -- it’s because Apple hasn’t approached them. Comcast acknowledged its non-talks with Apple in a letter it sent to the Federal Communications Commission as part of its effort to acquire Time Warner Cable. The letter is a response to a filing from Stop Mega Comcast, a coalition opposed to the deal.

Stop Mega Comcast’s note said, “Comcast may be withholding affiliated NBCUniversal (“NBCU”) content in an effort to thwart the entry of potential new video competitors.” The note cited a recent Wall Street Journal report that said Apple wasn’t talking to NBCUniversal because of a “falling-out between Apple and NBCUniversal parent company Comcast.” That’s a bit right but mostly wrong, Comcast attorney Francis Buono wrote to the FCC: “Not only has NBCUniversal not ‘withheld’ programming from Apple’s new venture, Apple has not even approached NBCUniversal with such a request.”