RSSApple to Offer TV Shows in iTunes Store
By Nate Mook and Ed Oswald | Published October 12, 2005, 2:03 PM
Apple is expanding its iTunes Store beyond just music and videos into the realm of television show downloads. The Cupertino company has secured a deal with Disney to offer shows from ABC including Desperate Housewives, Nightstalker, The Suite Life, and Lost for $1.99 per episode.
Five TV shows will be available initially for purchase and playback on a computer or new video iPod. Each episode will come in a resolution of 320x240 pixels. The lack of downloadable legal content has plagued competitors' devices, but Apple's moves on Wednesday show the company was ready to put its marketing muscle behind the new video iPod.
This is a move geared toward buyers of the video Ipod. Despite what some of you say - the ipod is a select and click device - meaning that many of the people who are using it right now will treasure being able to watch videos on it by buying them from Itunes. That being said, 2 is not a bad price for a 1hr TV show. While I would't be giving up my digital cable for it, it's not an unfair price. You're buying a 5 minute song for 1 dollar, what's wrong with a 1 hr show for 2? I hope yahoo or napster or rhapsody come out with a service that allow you to watch for 10 a month; THAT I would definately get. Anything I'd want to pay for to own, I'll buy on DVD.
Score: 0
|If they put up Whose Line, I'm an instant customer.
Score: 0
|Now if only they offered good TV shows instead of that ABC garbage we'd be all set. :)
Score: 0
|We can only hope.
I'd love to see some Discovery Channel content.
Score: 0
|This music/video store will be a lot better once they start signing deals with all the other major networks. For now 5 shows isn't anything special.
Score: 0
|The greatest thing since color TV. I can't wait for the 3D Ipod, I'll look cool with one red lens and a green lens glasses, the chicks dig that too.
Score: 0
|Great starting point, but still way off.
I would easily cancel Satellite ($75/mo) and subscribe to an online service for a competitive rate ($75/mo) and simply download any and all TV episodes or movies that are available on Satellite and Cable networks. In addition, the consumer could select video quality (high, medium, low, etc.). Finally, the downloads would have to be burnable to CD/DVD media for watching in regular players.
I think iTunes has started what is demanded by consumers, but they're still way behind. Commercial music technologies are just beginning to catch up to consumer demand and requirements. Heck, let the TV/movie downloads use the BitTorrent and other P2P networks to offload server/bandwidth requirements.
Great idea, but $2-3 per episode??? Come on - my PVR (TIVO) Satellite provides me with all that right now, unlimited, for $40-$75/mo.
Score: 0
|How mutch is it per eppisode?
What format are they encoded in?
Score: 0
|a deuce(4 songs) for an old episode? Maybe at twenny-fi or fity cent.... MMMaaayyybbbbeeee at that high price for some sports event, or maybe if immediately after a tv episode ends-- for those on the road that don't wish to miss it...
They & Hollywood need to learn marketing & sales from my corner dealer: establish a relationship first(sign 'em up) & in the beginning give it away for free or next to nothing to create a users group(audience) & hook new addicts...
Score: 0
|Oh, and let's not forget that they are in a 320x240 resolution, so the only thing it's worth viewing on is an iPod, except it's too small to view on there. So basically you're paying $1.99 for a low-quality video.
Oh, and TV is only free when it's being broadcast.
Score: 0
|You gotta be kidding me! Why would someone pay for free TV! With all the free software out there to record shows in mp4 format why do you need a store? And why would you want to watch it on such a small screen? That's just stupid!
Score: 0
|Because technically, recording it off TV is illegal, but people still do it.
Score: 0
|Because most people dont eat sleep and dream hardware and software. Only the tech-blessed can EASILY locate the tools, steps and apps needed to put all those things in to working order. Most other people dont want to waste time doing that. Apple is one-click and hit the road.
Score: 0
|That excuse doesn't wash. TIVO, DVRs, Dishplayers, etc, etc, have been around for ages. One click on google would return plenty of easy to use programs for recording TV shows that come in under $300.00. And anyone looking to use a video iPod is going to have to have some tech savyness about themselves, or why else would they buy it...
Score: 0
|That's not true either. VCRs have been around forever recording TV shows. It's not the recording that's the issue, sharing it with others is the issue there. PocketDish from Dish Network allows you to transfer recordings from a DishPVR to a portable player, legally.
Score: 0
|Its not an excuse its how people are. And iPod is not tech "savyness". Pressing play doesnt make anything techy.
Score: 0
|Last I checked the iPod didn't come pre-loaded with songs or can you buy them that way now?
Score: 0
|umm hence the "one click purchase and load". But then again you would suggest they get third party software, 5 or 6 more steps and get media illegally. Same thing with your VCR analogy... VCRS don’t come preloaded last I checked!
Score: 0
|Thats NOT true. Making a Copy of any rights protected item is illegal. Downloading an item is making another copy because you and the sender now each have a one..... but, that is neither here nor there.Most shows on tv dont even want you to record it for your self. Infact arn't they in court over this issue now? Some new case?
Score: 0
|That's not true either. Drugs have been around forever killing people. See how easy that was?
Like Tappa said, it is definitely illegal.
Score: 0
|$1.99/Ep?
Better be able to save them for whatever you want, on whatever you want.
Score: 0
|Woohoo!! Keep the good news comming! :)
-an excited PC user.
Score: 0
|The day family guy is on the store, I will be purchasing a video ipod
Score: 0
|That will be "Freaking Sweet"
Score: 0
|NICEEEE !!!! :)
Score: 0
|