Could Hulu's Senior VP Help Apple Become a Content King? (AAPL)

Bloomberg reported that Apple AAPL is attempting to recruit Hulu's Senior Vice President, Pete Distad, to lead content negotiations. This is an interesting move for Apple, which does not typically produce its own content. By recruiting one of the prestigious executives that turned Hulu into the Netflix NFLX of television, Apple may be interested in changing its strategy. As it stands, Apple is expected to work with cable providers in order to build its long-awaited television set. The company is expected to slowly bolster its content database through Apple TV, the $99 set-top box that is already available in stores. One of the latest rumors suggests that Apple will sign a content deal with Time Warner Cable TWC. The cable provider has already inked a deal with Microsoft MSFT to bring 300 live channels to Xbox 360 -- and likely Xbox One. Related: What if Apple's iWatch is Really a TV? Many analysts -- most notably Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster -- believe that Apple will build a unique television by allowing viewers to subscribe to individual channels. Instead of spending $100 or more for a package of channels that viewers rarely watch, they could spend a few bucks a month for each channel they actually want. Apple has never confirmed that the company will offer a service on this level. Steve Jobs, the company's famed co-founder, had hinted that he cracked the TV code before his passing, but he made no mention of a la carte cable. Similarly, Apple CEO Tim Cook has also hinted at the possibility of an iTV -- but has never once said that the unit exists or that it will feature a unique pricing structure. Not even the manufacturer of Apple's products, Foxconn, has gone that far. Though there was a brief time when the world thought that Foxconn chairman Terry Gou had confirmed the TV's existence, he has yet to say a word about how content will be delivered. Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ