Apple's incoming CEO Ternus pledges focus on entertainment

John Ternus, the incoming chief executive of Apple, signaled a commitment to the company's entertainment division during his first public remarks ahead of his official start date on September 1. Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere for the fourth season of "Ted Lasso" on July 27, Ternus told reporters he intends to build on the momentum of Apple's film and television business.

Ternus, who has spent 24 years at Apple and currently serves as senior vice president of hardware engineering, will succeed Tim Cook, who is moving to the role of executive chairman after nearly 15 years as CEO. The leadership transition was confirmed in April. At the premiere, Ternus praised the streaming service Apple TV, describing it as having amazing shows, characters, and stories.

Current CEO Tim Cook, who was also present, said he has been sharing his experience in the entertainment sector with Ternus as part of the handover. Cook outlined Apple's strategy in the space, stating the company's role is to be the best, not necessarily the biggest. He also indicated Apple remains open to future entertainment partnerships where it can contribute unique technological innovation.