Why Apple Can't Get Movie Content

An anonymous reader writes "This article analyzes Apple's negotiations with record companies and movie studios. It explains why Apple's preferences are aligned with those of consumers. Using a software model, it concludes that the iTunes Movie Store currently doesn't have the software/hardware lock-in that forced the music industry to agree to Apple's terms for the Music Store."

Comments

this is something we didn't know?

[thelost]

Apple took a brave stance when they opened the movie store for business, and if good intentions == $$ they would be doin' just fine; However I haven't seen a scrap of news about the movie store since it's been launched. That's either good news or bad news.

So what would slashdotian's prefer to see? Apple make compromises and let in the companies that are twisting it's arm, or Apple to stand it's ground and watch the movie store sink?

Re:this is something we didn't know?

[falcon5768]

No the good intentions here is to force the movie industry to understand that a download IS NOT a DVD, and thus you cant charge 17.99 like the industry wants Apple to. Thats the reason for a lack of movies in the first place, they tried to bring everyone on board, but only Disney (who Mr Jobs owns the biggest share of the company) would go in on the deal.

I dont think it hurts the video iPod though, They are the number one payed site to download TV shows still. Most of the other groups havent even touched that market

That being said Apple could easily JUST sell Dinsey movies and people would buy in droves. Never underestimate the power of the mouse.

Re:"Apple's preferences are aligned with consumers

[MyNameIsFred]

... I'll remember that next time they increase the video resolution and force me to buy the video again if I want that new resolution...

I understand what you mean. I remember the joyous free upgrades from 8-tracks to cassettes and finally with CDs when the music industry changed formats. And oh remember all of those free upgrades from Betamax to VHS to DVD. I can't wait for my free Blueray upgrades.

Oh those bastards at Apple.

Why digital distubution for Movies will win in tim

[acomj]

Why digital distubution for Movies will win in time

I've bought a few albums off itunes recently. I don't like the DRM hassles, and I like CDs. Here is why.

Selection. The last 3 CDs I bought I checked 3 record stores and 1 big box chain. They had none. Itunes had them. Itunes had them, and I got them for cheaper and in less time than if they were at the store. The tradeoff is a slight quality degradation and that DRM. I burn them to audio CDs anyway as one backup so I don't care. I miss the packaging but some CDs you buy online come with PDFs of the liner notes.

Itunes has lots of music and never runs out (I don't think it can.... Maybe bandwidth could kill the site). Any online sales of music have these advantages.

This is why ultimately I choose to buy online.

Movies will eventually come around for the same reason. Selection. Now only if we could get bigger pipes (and not clogged pipes) to get these movies faster..

Intro to Business

[necro81]

I think the article is an interesting (and accurate) bit of analysis contrasting the Music and Movie stores and how Apple gets content for them. However, tossing out the BANTA graphs, and the accompanying banter [pun intended] gives the article a feel not unlike a couple of MBA students presenting a case study to their professor. They (BANTA graphs) are useful tools for comparative analysis, but I've hardly ever seen them outside of a business school classroom.