Several Tech Companies Back Out Of SXSW Participation

(Austin, TX) — Big names are pulling out of this year’s South by Southwest festival over fears of the coronavirus.

Apple announced that it’s no longer participating in the event which runs March 13th through the 22nd in Austin. The tech giant was supposed to premiere several new Apple TV Plus originals. IBM, Netflix, Amazon Studio, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Intel have also decided they’re not going to take part in the event.

Organizers insist the event is going on as planned despite growing calls for it to be canceled.