Comments on: NBC, Apple play game of brinkmanship

news analysis A day after reports said NBC would not renew its iTunes contract, Apple announces it will not offer NBC's new TV shows. This spat is about control.

[godofbiscuits--2008]

who forced a DRM?

Who?

[godofbiscuits--2008]

evidence of use?

do you have figures to back up your assumption that every nokia
phone purchaser uses it as their music player?

[badasscat]

iTunes != iTunes Store

The article states: "Apple's iPod succeeds mainly because of iTunes; its simplicity, low prices and quality content."

Yes, iTunes is a big part of the iPod's success. But that's got nothing to do with the iTunes STORE. I saw a stat a while back that showed that even with all those billions of songs downloaded off of iTunes, that only translated to around 21 tracks purchased per person. Clearly, most iPod owners are getting their content elsewhere, unless we're all walking around with only 21 songs on our iPods.

One of the great things iTunes does is allow you to easily import either your own music or video and transfer it to your iPod. This is how most people are using their iPods. I have 3,300 tracks on my iPod and every single one is ripped from a CD I already own. I still buy CD's - no DRM, better quality, liner notes, usually lyrics and photos included - and then rip them myself.

As for video, who actually pays to watch TV shows they can otherwise get for free over the air? The entire concept is ridiculous.

The article is right to point out that video is a "miniscule" part of Apple's business - and it probably always will be. Apple doesn't need *any* video on the iTunes store to be successful; all they need to do is provide good hardware and the software that allows users to import their own content.

[mickiavellian]

many people are using songbird instead of itunes now

Check it out.

http://www.songbirdnest.com/

It's great for surfing the "music web" and organising your music + synching with your mp3player (including ipod).

It's like a very clever version of the itunes software.

[gubbord]

Apple has Almost Lost its Grip

but NBC and Universal are old line media and they are doomed either way

[zahadum]

itunes vs piracy - the studio pinheads STILL dont seem to get it!

first, i wont even bother address the studio's crocodile tears shed on behalf of content producers not getting paid their due ... these parasites are usually only the exhibitors, not the originators of original programming. The tv/film studios have no more interest in the well-being of the artists (or the consumers) than do the music labels.

second, Here Is The Big Kuhuna:

if nbc insists on jacking up the price (doubling now, and then probably doubling again next year), they will in effect be issuing an open invitation for everyone to go back to pirating their material.

here is the VERY SIMPLE choice at issue: distribution will be either via the tv networks or the p2p networks - it all depends on how much respect the studios treat their customers.

If the studious insist on these ridiculous prices, then their customers will just boycott them outright & go back to pirating.

so instead of trying to undermine thw One Good Thing to come there dim & venal way, the tv/film studios should try to make nice with itunes ... it is one of the few allies they have in the digital universe!

third, as for the money issue - well let's just pause a moment & reflect on the insanity of asking nearly the half the ticket price of a movie for much less than an hour's tv fare ...

cost of a movie = $30M, $60M, $100M, etc ...

license fee for a tv episode? maybe $2M-ish!

hoping to scam near-cinema ticket prices from tv viewers is just plain nuts! (again, i stress that charging 50% of a movie ticket is NOT going to be the final attempt at gouging - it is just the begining).

ain't gonna happen.

these studio pinheads just dont understand the peril they face from the internet, consoles, dvd, fun-in-real-life (eg ultimate frisbee), etc!

in a world where they are constantly losing eyeballs, they simple dont understand the value proposition invloved with digital media.

fourth, there is no threat to the ipod/iphone/itv ... the pinhead-in-arms analysts (i'm looking at you, gartner) who think that consumers need itunes to supply content in order for these devices to have value are just trying to kiss up to the studios so they can sell more of their of their bogus consulting services. Consumer demand for apple media devices will not be impacted when p2p content is an alternative to the rapacious & antediluvian studios.

score for the last 10 years: Pinheads 0, Apple 36

there's lots of stuff apple is foing wrong - but this aint one of them.

[albinoboy123]

Monopoly in the Public Eye

Apple should not be allowed to bundle the iPod, iTunes, and the iTunes Store; and they should not be able to employ an exclusively-owned proprietary file format as the sole format their product.
This hinders the advancement of technology and sets the stage for a monopoly, as you can see in the article:

"But the risks involved with bucking Apple are great. Apple has sold more than 100 million iPods. The iPod makes up more than 70 percent of the overall mobile player market. How long can NBC Universal go without access to iPod owners? "

How can we let this go on?!

[Nodack]

Monopoly?

I have news for you. There are several companies that do this
already. Microsoft has theirs, Sony has theirs and so on and so
on.

There are several alternatives for people who wish to boycott
Apple. There are several makers of media players. There are
several internet stores that sell music. There are several stores
that sell music in a proprietary file format. None of them are as
successful as iTunes and the iPod though and I guess that's the
real beef you have isn't it?.

What is your solution? Make it illegal to come up with new
products and services?

Nobody wanted anything to do with selling music over the
internet. Everybody thought it was a big risk and a dumb idea
except Apple. Apple had to really do a hard sell just to get some
music on their iTunes when it started. Apple took the risk and it
paid off for them. Everybody else was late to the party as usual
and now you say it's not fair?

Suppose NBC signs with Sony? The only place you will be able to
buy TV episodes of NBC content will be from Sony's site and it
will be in their proprietary file format that no other player will
play. How can we let this go on!!!!

LOL

[kool_skatkat]

Monopoly for lower prices?

If monopoly means lower prices, what are you complaining about. When Apple started to become successful, there was no video on iTunes. Talk about music differently.

[mickiavellian]

iTunes faces possible closure in europe soon. It's been declared illegal!

I completely agree with you.

Worth noting that Apple have until october 1st to sort out their Apple IPOD ONLY DRM or face closure in europe.

Financial times article linked:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1fc40360-abe9-11db-a0ed-0000779e2340.html

[TheeBigBeast]

Grow a brain.

Apple bundles ipod and itunes for the sake of the consumer. It is
simple to use and need very little computer knowledge to use-
Which is Apple's claim to fame. Their file format is in the
consumers best interest as it's small and of good quality which
gives you more songs of the same quality per unit of memory-
AND you can change the file format if you want! You don't HAVE
to use AAC. And your statement about a monopoly- A monopoly
only exists when you are FORCED to choose that company. If you
don't want an ipod then don't buy one!! It's that simple. Many
other companies have come out with ipod wannabies and ipod
lookalikes like the Samsung that has different software to use.
People still choose to buy ipods because they work and are
simple. Dont talk against a company just because they make a
god product and are successful with it. You SHOULD BE PISSED
that all the media companies aren't happy with their ten
mansions, 20 planes, 30 boats, forty cars, and 50 mistresses!
No!! They need more of OUR MONEY to make their wallets
bigger. Do you actually want to pay more for your media? Why
not stick by a company that says, "No! We want to deliver quality
content at an affordable price." Kepp stayin' strong APPLE!!!

[cjtribes]

Bone-Head

Another bone-headed decision of GE and Jeff (I'm the decider) Z/
Sucker. Hey, GE why don't you go back to making light blubs
maybe you'll get a better idea than kicking out Jay Leno. How about
watching the cable networks maybe you can pick up some pointers
on programming like Mad Men on AMC, Damages on Fox, or
another Fox show House Oh! thats right House is a NBC/ Universal
property it's just not on NBC. Oh-Boy ! I cant wait to download
another episode of The Singing Bee.

[Zarinas1]

NBC wants to dictate what we watch!

In doing further research on this subject, I found this:
"NBC Universal and other companies say they want to increase prices by packaging content? say an episode of ?The Office? with the movie ?The 40- Year-Old Virgin,? because they both star the comedian Steve Carell."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/31/technology/31NBC.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

I do NOT want to pay for shows or movies that I don't want to see just to be able to watch the show that I DO want to see!

NBC is once AGAIN making decisions FOR it's viewers/customers that they do NOT want made! It's the same thing they just did through their Sci-Fi Channel - cancelling a show with good ratings just because the demographic was middle aged & female instead of their target young male demographic! They aren't interested in their customers & what THEY want. They're only interested in money & getting more of it. No wonder thier overall viewership is still dropping!

[mickiavellian]

in other breaking news: rain is wet!

It's their job to dictate people watch NBC content over someone else's.

For my money, NBC had the gumption to invest in shows like the office and Heroes.

Apple didn't.

And while I disagree with the idea of doubling the price (I think they can offer variable pricing downloads...one with advertising, the other without and in higher quality) I think Apple are displaying the negotiating skills of a petulant child.

[songteksten32]

Shockwave

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[john55440]

NBC Goes To Amazon.com Unbox

The dictatorial Steve Smug needs to learn that content providers have alternatives to iTunes, and that more alternatives are on the way.

"NBC Universal Television Content Now Available on Amazon Unbox"

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070904/20070904006367.html?.v=1

[Xenu7-214951314497503184010868]

Time to short sell NBC stock

Another bad business decision by the dinosaurs running NBC. Until the shareholders dump them, it's time to short sell NBC stock.

[Big!]

Nuts Saved Jericho, send NBC Apples

If people mailing peanuts to CBS was enough to save Jericho from immediate cancellation, imagine NBC's shock if they started recieving Apples in their mailbox.