It looks like Apple and Netflix have joined the long list of companies ditching SXSW over coronavirus fears

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It looks like Apple and Netflix have joined the long list of companies ditching SXSW over coronavirus fears
netflix reed hastings and apple tim cook 4x3

Joan Cros Garcia/Corbis via Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; Samantha Lee/Business Insider

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Netflix CEO Reed Hastings (left) and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

  • Apple and Netflix have become the latest big-name tech companies to pull out of this year's SXSW event in Austin, Texas.
  • They join the likes of Amazon, Facebook and Twitter, who have all dropped out of the annual tech and media hoop-la this week.
  • On Wednesday, Austin public health officials insisted that canceling event - which is scheduled to take place from March 13 to March 22 - wouldn't be necessary.
  • If SXSW is canceled, it would join Mobile World Congress and Google's I/O developer conference among the major annual tech events axed because of coronavirus worries.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Apple and Netflix have reportedly become the latest big-name tech companies to pull out of this year's SXSW because of coronavirus concerns.

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According to Bloomberg, Apple said Wednesday it wouldn't be attending SXSW, while a Netflix representative also told the publication it'd be pulling out of the event.

Apple had been scheduled to premiere new content for its Apple TV Plus streaming service at the event in Austin, Texas. This included the original documentary, "Beastie Boys Story" and the animated musical series "Central Park."

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Meanwhile, Netflix was set to screen films iincluding "L.A. Originals" and run a panel with Kenya Barris and Rashida Jones on their upcoming sitcom series "Black Excellence."

The duo joins the likes of Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter, who have all dropped out of SXSW in the past week.

In February, SXSW organizers said the event would go ahead despite "a handful" of cancellations, but the spate of big names to since withdraw has cast doubt on that claim.

At a press conference Wednesday, Austin public health officials insisted that canceling the event - which is scheduled to take place from March 13 to March 22 - wouldn't be necessary, and it would still go ahead.

SXSW - short for 'South by Southwest' - is an annual conglomeration of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences.

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If it is canceled, it would join Mobile World Congress and Google's I/O developer conference among the major annual tech events axed because of coronavirus worries.

Business Insider has approached Apple, Netflix and SXSW for comment.

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