Everything Apple gets if it buys Time Warner

Apple is apparently considering a purchase of Time Warner, one of the largest media conglomerates in the United States.

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Tim Cook
Apple CEO Tim Cook in deep consideration. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

That's according to a report in the New York Post on Tuesday night, citing "sources familiar with the situation." But what would Apple get from buying Time Warner? Turns out that the answer is a ton of stuff. Like HBO! And CNN! And, uh, Batman! Well, DC Comics, anyway. And The CW! And...more! Follow us below for a tour of everything.

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HBO

Game of Thrones
King Joffrey Baratheon looking understandably concerned. HBO

This includes hit shows like "Game of Thrones," "Last Week Tonight," and "The Leftovers," but also documentary series like "The Jinx" and "Vice." It also includes important business stuff like HBO Now/Go — the paid streaming service run by HBO — and deals with Sesame Street and Jon Stewart for upcoming original programming.

Turner Broadcasting (think: CNN, TBS, etc.)

anderson cooper
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper looking skeptical. Kris Connor / Getty Images

One of the largest components of the Time Warner megalith is Turner Broadcasting, which is the umbrella parent corporation of broadcast networks like CNN, TBS, TNT, and more. This would give Apple a huge, immediate footprint in media and publishing, as well as a rich content stable: CNN original programming like "Parts Unknown" and "Inside Man," a wealth of syndicated content on TBS (like America's most popular show, "The Big Bang Theory") and TNT (like "Law & Order"), and a massive kids library of Hanna-Barbera characters (alongside Cartoon Network).

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Warner Bros.

harry potter
You're a wizard, Harry! Warner Brothers

How's "Harry Potter" and "Batman" and "Superman" and "Lego" and...well, the list goes on. Warner Bros. owns a huge number of important properties, and is itself an umbrella corporation for several major subsidiaries (like New Line Cinema, and Castle Rock Entertainment and DC Comics). Warner Bros. is a powerhouse and one of the most valuable pieces of Time Warner, to say nothing of the nearly 100 years of history in film and television it brings with it.

4. New Line Cinema

The Lord of the Rings (Smeagol)
New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema holds distribution rights for some pretty serious heavy-hitters. Stuff like "The Lord of the Rings" franchise, the "Rush Hour" franchise," and more. New Line stopped making its own films in 2008 when it merged with Warner Bros. — also owned by Time Warner — and is currently adapting various WB properties into new films.

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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (read: video games)

batman arkham knight
Batman doesn't seem to care that he's soaking wet. Someone get this guy a towel! Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Ever play a Batman game? How about 2014's excellent "Lord of the Rings" game, "Shadow of Mordor"? Or how about any of the enormously popular "Lego" games? "Mortal Kombat"? Those are all under the purview of "Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment" (or WB Games for short). Just imagine: actual games people actually want to play on Apple TV instead of casual games!

6. The CW

Arrow S4 first look
The Green Arrow may or may not be standing in a fire in this picture. The CW

One of the best shows of 2015 was The CW's "Jane the Virgin," and "The 100" is getting lots of love from critics. Add to that acclaimed series like "Gossip Girl" and "Arrow" and you start seeing the vast breadth of content Apple could pull from an acquisition of Time Warner.

Apple Warner Bros. Money
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