itunes

HBO Breaks iTunes Pricing

Doug Mohney — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:33:03 -0400

Once upon a time, Apple made iTunes and insisted all TV shows available for download would be priced at the same $1.99 per episode. Until HBO came along and said otherwise, kapish?

Consumers will be charged $2.99 per episode to download acclaimed HBO hits “The Sopranos,” “Deadwood,” and “Rome.” Standard-issue fare such as “Sex and the City” and “The Wire” will be priced at the same old $1.99 per month, a fact that will no doubt annoy David Simon and Baltimore crime drama fans; “Sex and the City” fans should be consoled since they’re getting a big screen movie on May 30.

Apple says HBO programming is some of the “most requested” by their customers, no doubt another reason to charge an extra dollar per episode. The price hike is likely to get other media companies to lean on Apple to be more flexible in pricing, but will the discussions be as awkward as the way Paulie Walnuts wanted Christopher to cover the tab for dinner? After all, NBC Universal left iTunes over pricing issues. Showtime has offered most of its popular shows on iTunes for two years and music companies have been lobbying long and hard for flexible pricing beyond the 99 cents a song.

For more:
- Apple’s announcement of bowing to HBO
- New York Times coverage of the HBO/iTunes deal

Related articles:
NBC exits iTunes, enters Hulu
iTunes Wins Equality with DVD Releases

Zune Adds Video

Doug Mohney — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:17:40 -0400

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

iTunes Wins Equality with DVD Releases

Doug Mohney — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:54:07 -0400

New movies from major film studios and independents will now be available for purchase through the Apple iTunes store on the same day as their DVD release. New releases will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios.

New releases will be priced at $14.99 with “most” catalog titles at $9.99. The first new iTunes releases in parallel with their DVD counterparts include “American Gangster” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” According to Apple, the iTunes store currently has a catalog of over 600 TV shows and over 1,500 films including 200 in “stunning” HD video.

Analysts see Apple’s move pressuring Amazon.com and distributors on their newbie online efforts and in fresh DVD sales. There’s also speculation the major movie studios will announce similar direct to DVD & online deals with other Internet video distribution outlets.

For more:
- A thoughtful UK Times Online piece on Apple’s iTunes immediate movies
- PC World blogger grumbles about buying movies online.

Related articles:
NBC exits iTunes, enters Hulu
Apple seeks control of video home