It is stated that Apple is currently in talks with HBO, the television network that made such shows like Deadwood, Entourage, Rome, Sex and the City, and The Sopranos, worldly famous. According to Portfolio publication, Apple will sell not only sell these popular shows, but also first-run original films. The publication also cites that the expected launch time will probably be within the one-to-two week time frame.
And if that wasn’t news enough, the deal is HBO (with parent company Time Warner) wants a bigger cut of the profits or wants to charge a different price for their products. Apple has typically only charged $1.99 on the US iTunes Store, so it is expected that the HBO shows/movies will cost the end user a little bit more.
This varied pricing could start a new trend, as it was only last week the UK iTunes Store started selling NBC/Universal programming at varied rates (which Apple has traditionally resisted), but this happened after the powerhouse (NBC) pulled it’s network shows from the US iTunes Store.
All-in-all, this new deal is thought to be mutually beneficial for all parties involved (Apple TV offers more for it’s users, and may even pull in some new ones, and HBO makes a little more revenue off it’s archived shows.)
Personally, I still do not own an Apple TV, nor have I yet to rent from the iTunes Store, but I expect someday I will rent from the website (I am a big Sex and the City fan.) Until that day, I will continue to watch the old fashion way — on my television!
[via iPodNN]
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TAGS: iTunes Store, Time Warner
