Apple to stop selling NBC/Universal shows on iTunes - Blu-ray Forum

Robmx · 09-02-2007, 02:12 PM

iTunes Store to stop selling NBC shows in September
By Peter Cohen

Apple said Friday that it will stop selling NBC Universal television shows through the iTunes Store. Apple said it’s doing so because NBC wanted Apple to “pay more than double the wholesale price” for each NBC TV episode, which would have upped user costs to $4.99 per episode, up from $1.99 presently.

Apple’s statement confirms an earlier report posted by the New York Times. Apple’s timetable for removing NBC Universal content from the iTunes Store is considerably sooner than what the Times speculated, however. Apple said it plans to drop NBC shows in September.

“Since NBC would withdraw their shows in the middle of the television season, Apple has decided to not offer NBC TV shows for the upcoming television season beginning in September,” reads a statement published by Apple. “NBC supplied iTunes with three of its 10 best selling TV shows last season, accounting for 30 percent of iTunes TV show sales.”

Apple will continue to sell television shows from ABC, CBS, Fox and the CW, along with more than 50 cable networks, continuing the current price of $1.99 per episode.

NBC Universal shows aren’t just those broadcast on the NBC television network. Battlestar Galactica, the popular remake of the 1970s science fiction show broadcast on cable channel the SciFi Network will also be impacted by this decision, for example.

“We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase. We hope they will change their minds and offer their TV shows to the tens of millions of iTunes customers,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes.

The Guardian · 09-02-2007, 02:15 PM

Seriously, $5 an episode? It is cheaper to buy the DVD boxsets! Maybe even the HD boxsets!

Universal seems to like forgoing sales...

Eve6insideandout · 09-02-2007, 02:17 PM

Talk about them just making one bad decision after another. I can't believe that as a company they wont be able to keep these people who make these decisions.

Robmx · 09-02-2007, 02:18 PM

Maybe they are hoping to get back some of the money they are not making selling blu-ray by charging more

Whoever is the head of Universal is running that company into the ground !

reiella · 09-02-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guardian

Seriously, $5 an episode? It is cheaper to buy the DVD boxsets! Maybe even the HD boxsets!

Universal seems to like forgoing sales...

Not too sure there. Amazon Unbox still continues at the same price point [wil see come the season change], but Unbox is still carrying the titles.

This and a few other things just really make me suspect Universal may be trying to break market domination. But well, who knows

.

red_5ive · 09-02-2007, 03:23 PM

Hmmph... I hope this doesn't impact any decision making on the Universal going HD format-neutral rumor since Apple is a Blu-ray supporter.

caliminius · 09-02-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Hmmph... I hope this doesn't impact any decision making on the Universal going HD format-neutral rumor since Apple is a Blu-ray supporter.

Considering how Apple has yet to act like it is actually supporting Blu-Ray beyond being a member of the BDA, I wouldn't think that it would matter.

cajmoyper · 09-02-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliminius

Considering how Apple has yet to act like it is actually supporting Blu-Ray beyond being a member of the BDA, I wouldn't think that it would matter.

You're right about that. Some people don't even realize that a lot of the companies on the support list are doing anything more than giving their endorsement.

PrinceLH · 09-02-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guardian

Seriously, $5 an episode? It is cheaper to buy the DVD boxsets! Maybe even the HD boxsets!

Universal seems to like forgoing sales...

This is a glimpse of the future, if Microsoft has their way and HD Media, hard copies are eliminated in favour of downloads. This is why Microsoft is trying so hard for a stalemate in the HD Media wars. The HD DVD fan club better get smart and realize that they are helping Microsoft achieve their goal.

The Guardian · 09-02-2007, 11:27 PM

I don't think the future holds $5 per episode downloads.. at least not until after MANY more years of inflation.

There are so many problems with the download option, even long-term, it's not even funny anymore...

reiella · 09-03-2007, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guardian

I don't think the future holds $5 per episode downloads.. at least not until after MANY more years of inflation.

There are so many problems with the download option, even long-term, it's not even funny anymore...

5$ / episode moves the object out of the scope of benefits it recieves from microtransactions... At least currently.

Jodi · 09-03-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliminius

Considering how Apple has yet to act like it is actually supporting Blu-Ray beyond being a member of the BDA, I wouldn't think that it would matter.

Me want Mac with Blu-Ray drive NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Jodi

09-02-2007, 02:12 PM	#1
Robmx Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Niagara, Ontario, Canada	Apple to stop selling NBC/Universal shows on iTunes iTunes Store to stop selling NBC shows in September By Peter Cohen Apple said Friday that it will stop selling NBC Universal television shows through the iTunes Store. Apple said it’s doing so because NBC wanted Apple to “pay more than double the wholesale price” for each NBC TV episode, which would have upped user costs to $4.99 per episode, up from $1.99 presently. Apple’s statement confirms an earlier report posted by the New York Times. Apple’s timetable for removing NBC Universal content from the iTunes Store is considerably sooner than what the Times speculated, however. Apple said it plans to drop NBC shows in September. “Since NBC would withdraw their shows in the middle of the television season, Apple has decided to not offer NBC TV shows for the upcoming television season beginning in September,” reads a statement published by Apple. “NBC supplied iTunes with three of its 10 best selling TV shows last season, accounting for 30 percent of iTunes TV show sales.” Apple will continue to sell television shows from ABC, CBS, Fox and the CW, along with more than 50 cable networks, continuing the current price of $1.99 per episode. NBC Universal shows aren’t just those broadcast on the NBC television network. Battlestar Galactica, the popular remake of the 1970s science fiction show broadcast on cable channel the SciFi Network will also be impacted by this decision, for example. “We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase. We hope they will change their minds and offer their TV shows to the tens of millions of iTunes customers,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes.

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09-02-2007, 02:15 PM	#2
The Guardian Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Kitchener, ON Blu-ray collection:9 Trading Score:1	Seriously, $5 an episode? It is cheaper to buy the DVD boxsets! Maybe even the HD boxsets! Universal seems to like forgoing sales...

09-02-2007, 02:17 PM	#3
Eve6insideandout Power Member Member since:Mar 2007 Trading Score:491	Talk about them just making one bad decision after another. I can't believe that as a company they wont be able to keep these people who make these decisions.

09-02-2007, 02:18 PM	#4
Robmx Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Niagara, Ontario, Canada	Maybe they are hoping to get back some of the money they are not making selling blu-ray by charging more Whoever is the head of Universal is running that company into the ground !

09-02-2007, 03:23 PM	#6
red_5ive Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:The 'state' of Southern California Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:364 Blu-ray collection:996 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	Hmmph... I hope this doesn't impact any decision making on the Universal going HD format-neutral rumor since Apple is a Blu-ray supporter.

09-02-2007, 11:27 PM	#10
The Guardian Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Kitchener, ON Blu-ray collection:9 Trading Score:1	I don't think the future holds $5 per episode downloads.. at least not until after MANY more years of inflation. There are so many problems with the download option, even long-term, it's not even funny anymore...

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