NBC/Universal Shows will no longer be available on iTunes.

Paul McElligott · 08-31-2007, 12:40 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/31/te...=1&oref=slogin

Kind of a bummer. Frankly, I think Apple needs to be a little more flexible on pricing.

Ken Chan · 08-31-2007, 02:55 PM

I disagree. Apple understands that simplicity works.

Besides, other reports have said that Universal wanted to more than double their cost, which have resulted in the retail price for a single episode at the $4.99 mark -- too much. There are also other issues, like Universal wanting more restrictive DRM, which is also stupid.

AnthonyC · 08-31-2007, 03:52 PM

As much as I've criticized Apple's "every video at $1.99" policy (I still don't get how an SNL commercial parody can cost the same as an episode of an hour-long drama), I've got to side with them on this--nobody in their right mind would pay $5 for a single episode that's 21-42 minutes long. That's ~$120 a season--you could buy three copies of the DVD set for that.

The cynic in me thinks that this announcement is a negotiation tactic from one side...and I hope that it's Apple, because I don't really see how anyone can side with NBC on this.

I don't download shows from iTunes, but it is a shame that The Office, which has probably benefited from it more than any other show, is losing a massive part of its audience from this.

Chris · 08-31-2007, 06:42 PM

I do 100% agree on things like the shorts. Apple can have their flat price set at $1.99, but they should have a "clip bin" at a reduced price. Having a ceiling set is fine, but the floor should be open below them

Adam Lenhardt · 08-31-2007, 11:05 PM

I don't really download much television content from iTunes, but I think it's a bad decision. The last few years have seen programming available on more platforms and formats than ever before. This decision seems like a reversal of that trend.

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Ray Chuang · 09-01-2007, 11:15 AM

Let's see how fast NBC Universal runs back to Apple after the new 6G iPod video with its fullscreen display and touchscreen controls show up on September 5, 2007.

Adam Lenhardt · 09-01-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Chuang

Let's see how fast NBC Universal runs back to Apple after the new 6G iPod video with its fullscreen display and touchscreen controls show up on September 5, 2007.

If anything, that will make Apple MORE desperate for its No. 2 video content provider. I think NBC's gamble is that Apple needs NBC's programming to monopolize the portable video market more than NBC needs Apple's promotional platform. It's not a forgone conclusion like it was with music.

PS Nystrom · 09-02-2007, 10:30 AM

The loss of The Office, 30 Rock, and Battlestar Galactica just punched a sizeable hole in the value of my Apple TV.

Ray Chuang · 09-02-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt

If anything, that will make Apple MORE desperate for its No. 2 video content provider. I think NBC's gamble is that Apple needs NBC's programming to monopolize the portable video market more than NBC needs Apple's promotional platform. It's not a forgone conclusion like it was with music.

Problem is, Apple can survive losing NBC; NBC cannot afford to lose that highly-desirable demographic, given the low ratings of NBC lately.

Why do I have this feeling NBC is on verge of a major deal that will get their TV shows on the Microsoft Zune player?