Whatever Apple’s Tim Cook Decides To Do With Video ‘Could Explode’: Discovery CEO

Discovery CEO David Zaslav told CNBC that Apple’s video streaming service “could explode” when it launches next year, because CEO Tim Cook and video head Eddy Cue have the connections they need: subscribers.

“I think Apple is the company in media that’s going to surprise people the most,” he said Wednesday on “Squawk Box.” “They’re in business every month with over 600 million people,” he said, estimating the company’s customer base.

It could be said that the iPhone maker will be a bit late to the streaming game when Apple Video releases, possibly in March.

But the tech giant’s loyal following gives it an edge over future competitors, Zaslav argues, such as Netflix, which reportedly had 137 million subscribers at the end of September.

“[Apple is] already in business with loads of people that love them and love their brand. That’s like a superhighway,” he said.

Morgan Stanley predicts Apple Video could generate $500 million in 2019 and $4 billion by 2025.

Shares of Apple closed up 6.7 percent Wednesday. They are up almost 6 percent year to date. – CNBC