09/26/2007, 11:25am, EDT

Wednesday, September 26th

NBC shows turn up on iTunes despite dispute

Apple has added two TV shows from NBC to its iTunes Store despite a recent fallout between the television network and the Cupertino-based company. Reports surfaced late last month that NBC would no longer offer its TV shows via iTunes as a result of differing views over Apple's resistance to altering pricing. While the contract between Apple and NBC runs through the month of December and videos will not disappear until after the deal expires, the removal of Apple's largest television content provider could deal a hefty blow to its iPod/iTunes business. [corrected]

NBC has already turned to Amazon to sell episodes of its new fall TV lineup via the online retailer's Amazon Unbox digital download service, and announced that it will offer one-week free downloads to bring its primetime and late-night TV shows to users desktops for a full week after the shows air. Apple chief Steve Jobs, meanwhile, has expressed his desire for NBC to reconsider its decision.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: digital music/video

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OzarkMtn

Did NBC & CBS Merge?

09/26, 12:02pm, EDT

"NBS"?

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Eldernorm

NBC greed - no leadership

09/26, 12:07pm, EDT

NBC is just running on Greed and want of Power. When they get some real leader ship at NBC, maybe they will make some progress.

Its fine to have competition, but most everyone can see the huge power plays going on here. And Universal music is trying the same thing. Go to Amazon and sell music for less and DRM free just to hack at iTUnes.

Hey, I am happy as long as I can get my music thru iTunes or CDs. :-)

Elder Norm

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iChick

NBS

09/26, 12:09pm, EDT

No B.S.? Nah, doesn't fit.

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Guest

Hehe, NBS

09/26, 12:11pm, EDT

I thought that they took the shows from Studio 60 and made them real. :-)

jarod

I hope

09/26, 12:46pm, EDT

These retarded loons at NBC came back to their senses so that everyone can be happy.

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shmoolie

I'm confused...

09/26, 12:49pm, EDT

Is MacNN an editorial site or a news aggregator site? That article sure seems to be an editorial on Apple's business practices. Are the writers at MacNN somehow so knowledgeable about Apple's business that they can predict a "hefty blow" to the iPod/iTunes business?

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Robb

60% is kinda hefty...

09/26, 1:40pm, EDT

I think it was reported that the NBC/Universal shows accounted for around 60% of the video downloads in iTunes. Take that away and that's pretty significant.

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shmoolie

but...

09/26, 2:33pm, EDT

TV shows are fleeting and new shows that catch the viewer's interest pop up all the time. A few seasons ago it was Lost and Desperate Housewives. Then Grey's Anatomy. Then House and 24.

In addition the iPod business won't be affected one iota from not having access to a few shows. I'm constantly surprised at how some journalists still don't understand the difference between iTunes, ITMS and an iPod.

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