If you have been playing along with the home game, you'll no doubt remember last August when Apple and NBC had a little squabble over pricing. That led to NBC content being removed from the iTunes store, and lots of he said/she said over who was at fault. It would appear that time, and potential revenue, really does heal all wounds. NBC is returning to iTunes, and an HD option is being added.
The new deal was announced at the "Let's Rock" event, where Apple unveiled updated iPods. You'll also find shows from ABC, Showtime, USA, and Sci Fi in the HD mix. The shows are already available and have returned at the $1.99 per episode price for SD. The new HD option comes in at $2.99 per episode. Prices for seasons are a little less consistent. Upgrading to HD for season two of Heroes will cost you an extra $10. $12 more for season four of Lost. And apparently, medical shows are really awesome in HD, as Grey's Anatomy adds $15 to the season four price, and season four of House jumps $16 to $47.84.
So, what did NBC gain by removing the content? The cynic would say that they gained a hefty dose of realization that the money from the iTunes store is nice to have. The PR spin would say that with the upgraded HD price, and the new ability to group shows (example given is Tina Fey's six favorite 30 Rock episodes) at prices yet to be determined, NBC has gained their variable pricing.
And price is really where the story is here. Now, I really love my HD TV. If it was a puppy, I'd give it the finest kibble I could find and shower it in squeaky chew toys. But $47.84 for a downloaded season? Shiny HD picture or not, doesn't that sound incredibly high? I can understand the idea that the HD episodes are higher quality, and bigger files, so there could be a pricing difference. But then, I already thought $1.99 for the SD episodes was too high when weighed against the benefits of DVD.
At the end of the day, it's a good story for the progress of the technology, but it's not something that I am going to find useful at that price point. It's also worth noting that NBC announced that in addition to the early Hulu premieres, Knight Rider, My Own Worst Enemy, Kath & Kim, Life, and Lipstick Jungle will be free on iTunes a week before they premiere on the network.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-10-2008 @ 9:14AM
Jimmy said...
Dumb questions: How do you watch downloaded shows in HD? Do you need the Apple TV interface? Can you back the shows up to DVD? What if you lose the digital files?
Sorry if I sound like an old guy ...
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9-10-2008 @ 9:42AM
Galley said...
The 720p HD shows can be played back in iTunes, provided your computer supports it. Yes, you can back up the files to a DVD. If you lose them, you will most likely not be able to download them again for free.
9-10-2008 @ 10:31AM
Richard said...
aa) Movies are viewable only on your Mac or Windows computer (using iTunes 7.6 or later), iPhone, video-enabled iPod (iPod touch, iPod nano (3rd generation), or iPod classic), or on TVs using your Apple TV. Movies in high definition resolution (HD) are viewable only on TVs using your Apple TV and must be downloaded directly to your Apple TV. Movies are viewable only on one device at a time.
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9-10-2008 @ 11:53AM
Richard said...
I stand corrected: "Apple also announced the availability of new HD TV content in iTunes, with new HD shows priced at $2.99 and existing standard-definition TV remaining at $1.99. Unlike the HD movies available on Apple TV, HD TV shows will be viewable on any iTunes-equipped Mac or PC. NBC will be among those offering HD TV content."
9-10-2008 @ 11:34AM
tspack said...
I sometimes like downloading the occasional show, and I'd prefer to do it legally so the people behind the show get their money (actually I prefer DVDs, but sometimes I'm impatient and don't want to wait for that), but the price remains far too high to be worth it. Until they provide a more reasonable price, I'll find, um, alternative means to acquiring the shows.
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9-10-2008 @ 11:40AM
Daniels said...
I love using my computer for TV content, and have been using torrents for years - simply because I get unlimited storage space and can move the files around as I want (e.g. stream them around the house, take them on holiday etc.).
I really want to join the 'legal' paid-for market, but I do not want to be locked in by iTunes and it's propriety formats, and more importantly I do not want to be ripped off.
Come back to me when I can download it at $25 and we'll talk.
Sounds cheap? Well you're not having to manufacture a DVD, make inserts, ship that DVD to a supplier, find a shop to sell it, pay the staff wages etc. etc. Just a simple dollar per episode with next-to-no distribution costs.
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9-10-2008 @ 6:11PM
StillBash said...
That's what I say all the time. I spent about 5000 Euro on DVDs in the last 10 years. I wouldn't mind spending the same amount of money for season passes if
a) I can be sure that I can download all files in the future
b) they only cost 1$ per episode or 1.50$ if there are bonus features
I get a season of Stargate SG-1 for 35 US$. That's exactly 1.50$ per episode. I don't see a reason to buy episodes for 2 bucks a piece if all there is is no commercials. I want audio commentaries. Different language tracks (ok not directly after the EP airs but a year later I want to be able to buy the ENGLISH version in the GERMAN iTunes store for god's sake, all I get over here is german dubbed bullshit).
9-10-2008 @ 12:34PM
Avi said...
iTunes never made sense for me for an entire season. It only makes sense to pick up an episode here or there when you miss a week on tv. If they want to get my buying entires seasons the price needs to be much less than the equivalent DVD set. On the order of $10-$15/season.
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9-11-2008 @ 2:12PM
Cray said...
The day they add subtitles or close captions for the hearing impaired will be the day I buy a TV show via itunes or any other digital download store.
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