Apple may be preparing to license its AirPlay technology to allow third-party TVs to receive video streams from iOS devices. Bloomberg outlined a plan supposedly in the works at Apple on Wednesday, saying that video devices that could play streamed video via AirPlay could hit the market as early as this year, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the project.

AirPlay is Apple's recently reintroduced technology (previously called AirTunes) that allows a computer's iTunes library or an iOS device to stream photos, video, and music to a compatible device. Currently, Apple offers licenses to a number of audio system manufacturers so that users can stream music to a set of speakers, but the only device available that can receive AirPlay video streams is the second-generation Apple TV.

According to Bloomberg's sources, Apple is considering adding video licensing to the mix so that third-party devices can receive streams of TV shows, movies, and other A/V clips. Companies selling AirPlay-compatible audio equipment would reportedly pay Apple $4 per device sold, so a Web-enabled TV might cost a bit more if manufacturers want to add AirPlay to their feature lists. The sources also said that Apple's AirPlay chip vendor, BridgeCo, is "working with several TV makers to build its products into Web-connected TVs," though they didn't specify whether those plans involved AirPlay or some other technology.

There have been long-running rumors that Apple might one day roll out its own Internet-connected TV—thanks mostly to buzz created from analysts—but such an idea has largely been panned by most observers. However, an AirPlay video licensing deal would move the risk of getting into the TV market from Apple to manufacturers, while still allowing the company to make money from it (not to mention the potential for extra iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad sales).

Apple declined to comment on the rumor.