Will Apple TV Ever Come to Be?

The iPhone 5 launch on Wednesday, Sept. 12, is sure to be the most important event for tech investors this year. The Motley Fool will be hosting a live chat where our top tech analysts will answer your questions and break down what the announcement means for Apple and tech investors everywhere. Be sure to swing by Fool.com at 12:45 p.m. ET tomorrow for all your coverage of Apple's next big announcement.

Apple TV has been part of the larger Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) discussion for years, but analysts agree that a 2012 debut is unlikely.

A foray into television is often seen as the inevitable next step for Apple, likened to its entry into the music industry via the iPod or the smartphone industry with the iPhone. However, the dynamics of the television industry are inherently different, and issues such as negotiations to secure content take far longer than people realize.

With Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) attempting to leverage its Xbox platform, Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) ramping up its Prime platform, and even Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) having acquired YouTube, there's little question that TV is an area with room for growth. Nonetheless, Apple TV will require a significant extension of the Apple ecosystem to encompass television, and the logistics of that challenge make it a slow march forward.

See more in the following video.

As the most influential company in technology, Apple has consistently delivered market-smashing returns for investors. However, with the impending iPhone 5 release -- and Apple TV not far off on the horizon -- the stakes have never been higher. If you're looking for a recommendation on how to play Apple, along with continuing updates and guidance whenever news breaks, we've created a brand-new report that provides all you need. To get started, just click here now.