Apple's Stock Could Still Double, Even if it Doesn't Sell 156 Million iTVs

When Cook says he feels like he stepped back in time in the living room, he's talking 100% about the user experience. Apple does not need to spend billions on content to take control of that. It just needs to be Apple. While Microsoft (MSFT) sleeps on its chance to dominate the living room, even a relatively slow-to-move Apple will pounce and end Steve Ballmer's pathetic run as CEO.

Think about this . . .

Televisions are dirt cheap these days. Apple will blow our freaking minds with something that retails for a grand.

Consistent with a general lack of progress across the broad tech sector, the companies selling television sets have slowed the innovation. It feels a bit like, we've made these really awesome HDTVs flatter and thinner, we're all over this Internet-connected thing so let's take a breather.

That's where Apple attacks. At least traditionally.

The opportunity to provide a television that transforms the way people consume content -- without going after that content -- will put Apple in the good graces of the cable and satellite companies. They'll subsidize an Apple TV in about three seconds if they can offer it as an incentive at sign-up or keep existing subscribers. Consumers who prefer what we'll call an "unlocked" iTV can buy one, at full retail, in Apple Stores.

Or something like that.

Yes, Jackson's 156 million number is pretty absurd. Apple sold 58 million iPads, 125 million iPhones, 35 million iPods and 18 million Macs in fiscal year 2012. There's no way in hell it will sell even 100 million units of a $1000-plus product in the first year.

That said, half of that -- less than half of that -- will not only smash success, it will send the stock on a tear as long-term fears of life in a post-Steve Jobs world will get put to rest. That's good enough for a double and sustained strength . . . for at least a little while.

Jackson made his point well. And, if Cook comes through like he did with iPad mini, I'll remain on board.

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--Written by Rocco Pendola in Santa Monica, Calif.

Rocco Pendola is TheStreet's Director of Social Media. Pendola's daily contributions to TheStreet frequently appear on CNBC and at various top online properties, such as Forbes.

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