Washignton, July 31 : Apple's long-rumoured set-top box will not be launched until 2015 due to the company's inability to strike a deal with the cable providers, said reports.

The cable providers allegedly said that they were concerned that the tech giant might gradually change the cable providers into a TV servicing company for consumers.

According to the Verge, Comcast and Time Warner Cable collaboration is also one of the issues that is delaying the launch of Apple set-top boxes.

The potential merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable is also reported to be one of the issues that is delaying the set-top box launch.

Reports further suggest that Apple cannot create the set-top box services independently and need to rely on cable providers for infrastructure and rights. (ANI)