CBS CEO: 'When Apple Calls, You Always Listen'

Apple Inc. AAPL is in talks with a host of broadcaster, including local ones for the launch of its web streaming TV service. CBS Corporation CBS CEO Les Moovnes was on CNBC Wednesday to reveal the kind of talks he is having with Apple for providing programming on Apple TV.

The Deal

“Well it’s in early discussions, but Apple TV is obviously talking to many of the broadcasters and some of the other cable companies,” Moovnes said. “I think about making an offering and when Apple calls, you always listen because obviously they have done has been successful. So, it’s interesting.”

‘You Will Always Need CBS’

Moovnes was asked how Apple TV will look like and how will it compete with the rest of the offerings of CBS. He replied, “Well obviously we are in an era now that the bundles are changing. Sling offered a different service. Sony is in discussions to offer a different service that may not carry 200 channels, but maybe less channels."

He continued, “And Apple is talking about something similar in that it will be, it won’t be a 200 channels, [it will be] less than that at a lower price and it will be a different offering that’s digital. It is online and we think in that universe, we will do better in a 15 to 17 channel universe; we are always going to have to be there. You will always need CBS.”

Moovnes confirmed that Apple will be paying more to CBS per subscriber than traditional cable or satellite TV providers.