Skip to main content

iPad Video: Netflix, ABC, CBS…and Maybe More On The Way

The iPad hasn’t even reached consumers’ hands yet, and already online video services and broadcast networks seem to be scrambling to make sure they’re present and highly visible on the nascent platform. According to reports in The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) and elsewhere, broadcast networks ABC and CBS will be streaming programming to the iPad: CBS will apparently be relying on HTML5-served video that will enable fans to tune into shows like Survivor using the iPad’s built-in Safari Web browser, while ABC will apparently be rolling out it’s own iPad application that will enable users to browse and stream episodes from shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Although all reports are sketchy on details of ABC and CBS’s efforts, both services are apparently eyeing an ad-supported distribution model—which may not make Apple entirely happy, since it’s selling much of the same programming through iTunes at $0.99 an episodes. (However, purchased programs don’t require Internet access to view, and subscribers can keep them as long as they want, unlike online streamed programming that is often only available for a limited time can be pulled down at any moment.)

Reports and screenshots from AppShopper (which is pulling iPad applications screenshots directly from Apple’s App Store database) have video rental service Netflix also preparing an iPad app to launch concurrently with the iPad itself. Netflix subscribers will apparently be able to mange their queues and view streaming content directly on the iPad.
stream online content to the iPad. No pricing information is available, but Netflix traditionally makes access software available to its subscribers at no additional charge.

Online video sharing sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Brightcove, and even Flickr are also preparing to push video to the Flash-free iPad using video presentation capabilities available in the forthcoming HTML 5 standard.

A big question mark in the iPad’s immediate video future is Hulu, the joint venture between Fox, NBC, and ABC that for the last couple of years has been a major player in providing ad-supported American television content via the Internet. Hulu hasn’t publicly commented one way or another on the iPad, but the enterprise has been considering switching to a paid subscription model. Although Hulu has been talking about an iPhone applications since mid-2009, The New York Times has reported that Hulu is working on its own application for the iPad.

Despite all this apparent interest from streaming video providers, it remains to be seen whether the iPad will succeed as a video-viewing platform where mobile phones, portable media players, netbooks, and even notebook computers have failed to gain significant traction. Streaming video services have been available for most of those platforms for some time and have yet to blossom into a major industry—although an ever growing number of American consumers watch TV and surf the Internet at the same time, they haven’t overwhelmingly given up the big screen in the living room for portable devices.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Best tablet deals: iPad, Galaxy Tab, Fire Tablet and more
Fifth generation Apple iPad Air.

Whether you have the budget for one of the best tablets or you just want something affordable that gets the job done, tracking down some tablet deals always feels good. There are quite a few models seeing significant price drops right now, ranging from premium-end tablets like the Apple iPad to much more affordable brands like Onn and Amazon. Keeping track of all of the best tablet deals is a tall order, so we’ve rounded them all up for you. Read onward for more details on the best tablet deals available and which of them may land you the perfect tablet.
Onn 7-inch tablet — $49, was $59

You won’t find many tablets that come in at a better price than the Onn 7-inch tablet. It’s great for everyday use, as it can reach up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. It runs on Android 11, which gets you access to all of your favorite apps, software, and websites. It has a quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, as well as the Google Camera Go app, which is a fast and helpful camera app for taking high-quality images. The 7-inch high definition touchscreen display also includes a webcam for video chats. All in all, the Onn 7-inch tablet offers quite a bit for such a low price point.

Read more
Best iPad deals: Pro, Air, Mini and accessories on sale
iPad Pro 2020 Screen

Over the past decade Apple has expanded the tablet market and helped turn the tablet into a computing device that’s relied upon daily by both businesses and individuals. There is now a wide range of iPad models available to choose from, and a wide range of accessories as well. Apple products are difficult to find discounts on, but there are quite a few Apple iPad deals taking place right now. We’ve tracked them all down, and with so many models available to choose from, we’ve got you covered in researching the best iPads to buy as well.
Apple iPad (2021) — $270, was $329

If you’re in search of a new tablet but want to avoid the high price points of the Apple iPad Pro lineup, the Apple iPad (2021) is a much more affordable option. It’s a very capable of iPad, as it has all-day battery life, the Apple A13 Bionic chip, and an immersive 10.2-inch Retina display. All of this makes the iPad a great device for creating with, for interacting with the digital world with, and for sitting down with for an evening of movie watching. This WiFi-only model comes in Space Gray with 64GB of internal storage, which is typically plenty for most tablet users’ needs.

Read more
Best iPad Pro deals: Save on the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro
Someone using Final Cut Pro on an iPad.

Some of the best tablet deals involve the iPad Pro -- one of the most popular tablets around right now. There are some big savings to be enjoyed on the latest models and we're here to help you find them. Below, we've picked out the best iPad Pro deals available right now, before looking at other retailers you might want to consider buying from. We've also looked at the best time to buy.
Today's iPad Pro deals
When we reviewed the iPad Pro, we said there's nothing quite like it. It's an extremely powerful tablet and easily one of the best tablets you can buy today. It offers a powerful M2 processor that you see on the latest MacBook laptops so it's highly competent for multitasking, video editing, and pretty much anything else you throw at it. Besides its 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, its Liquid Retina display looks fantastic with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color support all ensuring picture quality is exceptional. The 12.9-inch model has the better screen with 1,000 nits of brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness, but both look good. Here's an overview of the best iPad Pro deals right now, including the cellular model.

Retailers with iPad deals
When buying one of the best iPads, your options are limited if you want to save well. Here's a quick look at the best retailers for iPad deals so you can save some money on the expensive but worthwhile investment.

Read more