Apple invites Hollywood to Silicon Valley in TV push

LOS ANGELES, Mar 25 (Reuters): Apple Inc is expected to finally lift the curtain on Monday on a secretive, years-long effort to build a television and movie offering designed to compete with big media companies and boost digital services revenue as iPhone sales taper.

"It's show time" is how the iPhone maker billed the affair slated for the Steve Jobs Theater at its Cupertino, California, headquarters. Analysts believe it will be the technology company's first splashy launch event that will not feature new gadgets or hardware.

Hollywood celebrities are likely to trek to Apple's Cupertino home to greet the debut of a revamped Apple TV digital storefront. Apple has commissioned programmeming from A-list names such as Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.

The Apple original shows are expected to be offered alongside the option to subscribe to content from Viacom Inc and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp's Starz, among others, sources have told Reuters.