Zune Adds Video

Microsoft has expanded its Zune offerings to include downloads of popular television shows from COMEDY CENTRAL, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodon, Star Media, Turner Broadcasting and VH1, among others.

The additions give consumers more than 800 episodes of popular shows to download either on their computer or their Zune media player, including SpongeBob Squarepants, “South Park,” “The Hills,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Heroes” and “30 Rock.” Each TV show will be initially priced at 160 Microsoft Points per episode; around $1.99 in real world money. In addition, Zune already offers 4,000 music videos and 3,500 audio and video podcasts; however, there are no feature films (yet).

Zune is Microsoft’s counter to Apple’s iTunes integrated player/store/brand, and includes a social online music community and some other bells and whistles to set it apart from the iTunes experience. Will paying for portability succeed? Hulu and others already offer a lot more shows online for free with an ad-supported model, but you typically have to have a broadband connection and a laptop or larger device to view offering in real-time.

On the other hand, Microsoft gets the latest new shows from NBC, something Apple doesn’t have after NBC pulled out of iTunes last fall.

For more:
- Microsoft’s Zune adds video and other stuff release
- CNET reporting on Zune’s new features

Related articles:
CNET says Zune struggles to find the right pitch
NBC exits iTunes, enters Hulu
Apple premieres iTunes Movie Rentals