If Sony Pictures today announces an online distribution option for The Interview (which seems to be the case) it won't be through Apple — and it definitely won't be for lack of trying. According to sources speaking to The New York Times, Sony had "asked the White House for help in lining up a single technology partner — Apple, which operates iTunes." But Apple reportedly was not interested — "at least not on a speedy time table."

While Apple saying no isn't all that surprising, what's interesting is that the White House itself was asked to help broker the deal. President Obama on Friday said Sony had "made a mistake" in not releasing The Interview, a movie where Seth Rogen and James Franco are asked to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, after a group of hackers threatened violence at the premiere. Though all major US theater chains have refused to play The Interview on its original Christmas Day release date, hundreds of independent theaters have been given the OK by Sony to play the film tomorrow, a move the White House has applauded. A VOD announcement is still expected later today.