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NBC Universal Drops iTunes
An anonymous reader writes "NBC Universal has cancelled its iTunes contract and will withdraw the television shows it currently offers through the service in December, when the current contract expires. This is a huge blow for the service, as NBC is the controlling interest in Apple customer-friendly intellectual properties like The Office, Battlestar Galactica, My Name is Earl and Heroes. From the article: 'The decision to withdraw the content follows disagreements between the two firms. Apple is thought to have rejected NBC's demands for more restrictive DRM and the introduction of flexible pricing. Apple was informed of NBC Universal's decision late last night. The report states that neither Apple nor NBC Universal would comment on the matter, but said they continue to talk, "free of acrimony".'" Hey NBC: I have chosen not to have cable, but want to pay you for Heroes. Guess what my only alternative will be if you pull it from iTunes?
But I watched most of Season 1 of Heroes on their official site. Here's hoping Season 2 continues that way.
Mr. Hu is not a ninja.
They can't do that:
What, me worry?
I know I'm not new here, but I'd just like to say that the article is self-contradictory. NBC is not pulling anything off of iTunes for months at the earliest, and contract negotiations to keep them on the site continue.
In other words, this article can be summarized as "NBC, looking for some leverage in ongoing negotiations with Apple over iTunes, has called reporters to float the idea of pulling out of iTunes altogether."
E pluribus unum
Or on XBox Live. They just started putting episodes of Heroes up there last week. Seems NBC already found a new channel to replace iTunes...
Here's a nice PDF from Uncle Charlie:
. pdf
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/consumerdish
No, they can't. They may try, but they are prohibited under Federal Law from doing that. I think that Federal Law trumps some stupid little HOA bylaws. I thankfully have an understanding HOA. They know this, and when I went to put up a satellite dish, they told me where they would like it installed so as to be as unobtrusive as possible. But, they knew that if reception could not be achieved from that spot that they would have to deal with it. Fortunately, it worked just fine where they wanted it.
I'm currently based overseas, without access to decent television. Since they don't allow you to watch them online unless you're in the US, iTunes was my only option for watching the shows while still giving back to the people making them. Americans complain and complain about people overseas pirating stuff, but continue to refuse to sell it overseas. I figure, if you don't give someone a way to pay for the stuff you're selling, what right do you have to complain when they don't.
I make things for a living that people might want to pirate, and would feel bad about it if someone was pirating, I shouldn't pirate either. I rent movies I want to see, buy software I want to use, and try to let others know that not paying for these things is stealing. I also don't tell people from other countries that they can't buy my products though.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/08/31itunes.h tml
"Apple® today announced that it will not be selling NBC television shows for the upcoming television season on its online iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com). The move follows NBC's decision to not renew its agreement with iTunes after Apple declined to pay more than double the wholesale price for each NBC TV episode, which would have resulted in the retail price to consumers increasing to $4.99 per episode from the current $1.99. ABC, CBS, FOX and The CW, along with more than 50 cable networks, are signed up to sell TV shows from their upcoming season on iTunes at $1.99 per episode."
"This really upsets me that they would do this to their paying customers"
According to Ars, the issue is that they want you to pay more. A LOT more. To quote, "Apple declined to pay more than double the wholesale price for each NBC TV episode, which would have resulted in the retail price to consumers increasing to $4.99 per episode from the current $1.99."
So how does $5 a pop sound? At that rate, a typical series would cost over $100 purchased digitally, as opposed to buying the DVDs for $30-$50.
One thing's for sure, if hulu has this kind of idiotic pricing structure, then it's just SURE to be a success...
Any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.
Is this intentionally funny? You do realize how Microsoft screwed their PlaysForSure customers with the Zune, right? Why would you spend a single penny on their media technology, knowing they're likely to do the same thing again?
Can't wait to see NBC's online sales dry up.