Apple is going to ‘start making original shows like Netflix’

It's not yet clear whether it will be TV or movies or both

Apple TV is going to dip its toe in the water with original filmed content, according to Variety, following suit with Netflix, Amazon and more.

It’s not a surprising move from the tech giant, given it would be quicker to list the brands that aren’t venturing into original programming these days - with a gritty drama from Chrysler and dramedy mini-series from Nestle probably on the way in 2016.

The project is apparently still in the preliminary conversations stages at the moment, with a crack team reporting into Apple’s content chief Eddy Cue.

Variety said:

‘The scale of Apple’s ambitions vary depending on whom is asked, but one high-level executive who talked with the company said the goal is to create development and production divisions that would churn out long-form content to stream in a bid to compete with Netflix. Apple is hoping to put a headhunting firm on those hires in the coming months, according to source, with the goal of being in operation next year. Unknown is whether the focus is on TV series, movies — or both.’

Streaming services are falling over themselves to commission content lately, with Amazon Prime ploughing £160m into a new car-based series from Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.