Will you pay $3--or more--for TV episodes on iTunes?
Several HBO shows debuted today on the iTunes Store, but the big news was that two of them--Rome and The Sopranos--will retail for $2.99 an episode. To date, Apple had insisted on flat pricing of $1.99 per episode of any TV show added to its download roster. Indeed, the company's refusal to allow variable pricing was said to be the primary factor in NBC pulling its vast library of shows from the digital retailer in 2007.
Blogger Dave Zatz points out two big stumbling blocks to the larger issue of TV shows on iTunes:
... it's not like you get a ton of replay value--DRM-ed content isn't easily shared (like a DVD), and you're not going to stick a 55-minute show into a playlist for repeat enjoyment like a digital song.
In other words: every penny past the impulse purchase $1.99 price point magnifies the downsides of an iTunes TV download.
So, how does the $3 per episode price stack up? The DVD set of the 12-episode first season of Rome goes for a whopping $55 on Amazon, but you can find it (today, at least) for $41 at Barnes & Noble's site. I'd happily pay that $5 premium for the disc set.
Actually, I'm lying: I wouldn't buy the DVD either. I'd just add Rome: Season One to my Netflix queue, where I'd be getting it at no extra charge beyond my monthly subscription fee. (I rewatch movies frequently, but for TV shows, once is generally enough.)
I'd love to think that these high-priced shows will fail miserably, but these premium-priced seasons of Rome and The Sopranos have already cracked the iTunes top-10 list on day one. In other words, if the trend holds, it would seem that flat pricing is as dead as the dodo. The market has spoken, and consumers are willing--happy, even--to pay $3 an episode for their favorite TV shows. Expect lots of celebrating at NBC headquarters (and elsewhere in Hollywood). Just don't be surprised when an episode of The Office costs more than a gallon of gas.
What do you think: Would you pay $3 per episode for a TV show? Or are iTunes users ruining it for the rest of us?
John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment products. He's been writing for CNET since 2002. 
Standard TV shows i just watch the episodes online, and any shows i REALLY want, such as BSG i will still buy just the plain, good old-fashioned DVDs, thank you very much.
No
Go figure.
The fact that Apple was willing to even DO this deal suggests that they are starting to feel concern if not actual pressure from other media providers. I have no idea if a lousy three bucks is an automatic deal breaker. But hey, I DO KNOW from the commercials that you CAN buy three artery-clogging cheapo sandwiches of some kind from KFC with that same amount.
Pretty heady stuff, that...(not)
Let's fantasize for a moment: $15/month and you receive all sci-fi shows. Old stuff, classic stuff, new stuff, all of it. That would be worth it to me in a heartbeat.
For most shows, advertising pays for the program. Some shows sneak in advertising subliminally, so even if you do get the illegal version, you probably already saw your favorite character do some amazing driving in a Toyota Tundra with it's 4WD option.
Plus, let's say the show runs the standard 20-22 show course. Simple math: 2 X 20 = 40. Box sets can sometimes drop as low as 20 dollars on Amazon (TV DVD week as of right now for example!). That means the consumer paid twice as much for something not as portable and restrictive.
That's lame
Apple preys on people who have no tech skills. Oh Mr Genius bar guy...can you install my $500 Apple-RAM ? Bwhahahahaha !!!!
- by AppleSuxLeo May 15, 2008 1:31 PM PDT
- I already pay for cable , so it is real easy to record to my HDD with a video capture card....then burn to DVD if I want.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (27 Comments)Apple preys on people who have no tech skills. Oh Mr Genius bar guy...can you install my $500 Apple-RAM ? Bwhahahahaha !!!!