Find out why Apple is not selling the Apple TV in Hong Kong

Actually I really would like to have one of those stylish small white boxes next to my TV, with that huge Apple Logo engraved and direct hook ups to the major streaming services, Hulu, Netflix and Apples own iTunes media Library – only problem? Not in Hong Kong! Apple isn’t distributing or officially selling their Apple TVs here, why? Find out!

Apple TV's sleek Remote Control (via www.flickr.com)

Licensing – The Big Problem

Now here is the one and only reason, because trust me Asia would go crazy over that little TV Box with the Apple on it. Licensing – While Apple spend months in negotiations with the Movie and TV Show license holders in the US  (Universal, BMG, etc), they haven’t spend any time here in Asia yet.

To get your content on the Apple TV, or for being able to connect to Netflix or Hulu or the iTunes Media Library, those have to be available in your country, and neither is in Hong Kong. That means you could have 10 Apple TV’s standing in your Living Room, but you wouldnt be able to watch a single second of “Games of Thrones”, “New Girl” or “The Simpsons”.

So until Apple hasn’t sorted out their license agreements in Asia, you wont see an Apple TV on their shelves.

The Work Arounds

Different Apple TV versions (via www.flickr.com)

There are multiple ways of how you still will be able to enjoy the Apple TV experience, read on.

1. Go with the Alternatives

There are many Media Boxes available in Hong Kong and I am personally very happy with the Western Digital TV ones, yes, you still will have the same issue of streaming content but you can hook up your portable USB harddrive and instantly have 500GB of movies available.

2. Import your Apple TV and set it Up with a US Account

Of course you can simply buy your Apple TV in the states or wherever else it is available and hook it up with your TV in Hong Kong. However you will still have to obtain a US iTunes account, which requires a US Credit Card and / or US iTunes Giftcards (which you can buy in Hong Kong)

3. Get your Apple TV in Hong Kong and set it Up with a US Account

There are multiple options of buying an Apple TV in Hong Kong, try yahoo auctions or one of the many IT Malls, you will likely be set back between 700 and 1000HK$ depending on the model.

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