Frak! NBC Universal Pulling Shows from iTunes

Katee Sackhoff and Jamie Bamber in Battlestar Galactica by Carole Segal/Sci Fi Channel Photo

NBC Universal, whose programming accounts for some 40 percent of iTunes' video downloads, has told Apple Inc. that it will not be renewing its contract come December. Though negotiations are said to be continuing, the primary issues at hand are pricing — while Apple prefers set $0.99 and $1.99 price points, NBC Universal wants to offer packages of bundled programs at different prices — and NBCU's desire that iTunes stiffens anti-piracy provisions.

In a counterstrike, an iTunes VP told the AP, "We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase," then revealed the site will cease selling NBC shows as of the onset of the fall season.

NBCU's digital offerings include 30 Rock, USA's Psych and Sci Fi Channel's Battlestar Gallactica.

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Posted by

Matt Webb Mitovich

Aug 31, 2007 1:44 PM

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I wonder if the announcement of HULA.com had anything to do with this?
Posted by sapphiremoon Aug 31, 2007 2:31 PM Report Abuse

Greed is so unattractive. And stupid for that matter. I saw the Apple press release that said NBC was going for 4.99 per episode. <rolling eyes> for a FREE tv show? 1.99 I'll spend but not a penny more. I'll just spend my money on the other networks. NBC should really get someone in the food chain that's younger than 60 and has their finger on the pulse of the tech savvy world. Morons.
Posted by roxymarie Aug 31, 2007 3:59 PM Report Abuse

NO!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!!!
Posted by jasobres Aug 31, 2007 4:40 PM Report Abuse

I still think iTunes charges too much. The full season of Friday Night Lights on iTunes is $39.99. The DVD in stores goes for less than $20.
Posted by knightracer Aug 31, 2007 4:59 PM Report Abuse

I don't mind paying $1.99 for a show I love and miss. The players on most online sites are flakey at best and sometimes just don't work. But I'll be damned if I'd pay $4.99. I download more NBC/SCI FI stuff than anything. So, maybe I'll have to watch less NBC and make sure a program the recorder if I really want to see it. NBC thy name is greed. But you aren't alone.
Posted by CinderAngelkc Aug 31, 2007 5:18 PM Report Abuse

Eh, they'll be back.
Posted by jasobres Aug 31, 2007 5:56 PM Report Abuse

Way to go for the Greed NBC. >.< If I wanted to spend more, I could rent a season with a membership to netflix, or buy a dvd set. This is just going to make me less likely to ever download an NBC show that I might be on the fence about.
Posted by Taylor Aug 31, 2007 6:27 PM Report Abuse

Way to go, NBC. Never mind that iTunes helped make shows like The Office a hit, you just go right on and shoot yourselves in the foot. Enjoy another year of being #4.
Posted by J-Spot Aug 31, 2007 6:37 PM Report Abuse

That is soooo wrong! NBC is in no position to be doing this right now. A lot of NBC shows like The Office depend greatly on ITunes- it never finishes in the top 20 Neilsons, but it's always in the top 5 downloads. I'm really afraid some great shows are going to suffer b/c of this. So now if I miss The Office I have to wait till it reruns or comes out on DVD? I don't want to take a step back in time!

Posted by BrigBrig

Aug 31, 2007 7:29 PM

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Yeah, I have to agree that NBC is really dropping the ball on this one. I can't believe that they would charge more to download one episode than most people would pay to rent a DVD.

If they want to cut down on piracy, then LOWERING the price is the answer, not raising it! I think most kids who "steal" the content do it because they can't afford to pay for it. If you raise the price, you'll just see more piracy.

This was a smart move by Apple to drop NBC now instead of mid-season. Much of NBC's new sci-fi line-up caters to those who would be inclined to view it digitally. For once, NBC, worry about how you can attract more instead of fretting about the bottom line. If the viewers come, so will the profits.

Posted by lalawguy

Aug 31, 2007 8:11 PM

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I missed the finale of the Office last year because it coincided with an exam, and at 1.99, it was a no brainer to download it on iTunes. $4.99, though? I don't think so.
Posted by Dianora Aug 31, 2007 10:08 PM Report Abuse

"NBC Universal wants to offer packages of bundled programs at different prices." $4.99 an episode is bull. That's apple's pr at work. From what I've read I'm guessing the $4.99 pricepoint came from this pacakage idea, like "buy 2 episodes of heroes and one of Friday Night Lights for $4.99, etc." NBC.com for now.
Posted by apollokthx Sep 1, 2007 12:02 PM Report Abuse

at 4.99 an episode, a viewer will spend roughly $124 for an entire season of, lets say, House when all they have to do is wait till the end of the season to purchase the DVD set for $50. most networks (like ABC) even offer episodes online for FREE... so what's the deal?
Posted by livelaughluvjax Sep 1, 2007 3:22 PM Report Abuse

TV should be free. If you're not watching on a proper HDTV set, you're missing out. Nevertheless, you can always download eps for free. Join a private torrent tracker and be happy.
Posted by godofpathos Sep 1, 2007 7:54 PM Report Abuse

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