Apple's iTunes Store is the biggest online media distributor on the planet; it offers music, movies, games for the iPod and iPhone, and even TV shows. Although you can buy season passes for shows, soon you'll hopefully be able to subscribe to the service on a monthly basis.According to All Things Digital, Apple is in the process of gathering support from the popular TV networks in order to have it launch some time early next year, for the sum of $30 a month, though it's unclear whether or not this would work globally or just in the U.S. As expected, the company is said to be against aiming this at any particular piece of hardware (such as the Apple TV), but instead will have this service integrated into iTunes itself, saving themselves the worry of customers getting frustrated about being forced onto one device.
Though this might be great for those who use iTunes to watch TV shows often, it might not be so great for those who offer the programs themselves. Whilst the network executives are always happy to make more money one way or another, by offering shows through iTunes, it might mean that the relationship between cable networks and cable providers (such as Comcast, for example) could be severed. Not only that, but it's said that advertising revenue could be at risk, which would be a huge blow dealt to the networks.
If this happens, it should become available some time near the beginning of next year, as mentioned. If such a deal were struck, would you subscribe to shows for a monthly fee through iTunes?
Hm... I hadn't heard that. I'll have to look into that. That sounds interesting.
so you will get $15 worth of shows and movies
- the shows are available in HD at the same price,
- episodes are updated soon and regularly,
- there aren't any ridiculously low limits to the number of episodes or shows to watch in a month;
then I will certainly use it. For anything less, it would be very expensive.
- the shows are available in HD at the same price,
- episodes are updated soon and regularly,
- there aren't any ridiculously low limits to the number of episodes or shows to watch in a month;
then I will certainly use it. For anything less, it would be very expensive.
Yeah. If it had all of that I'd probably consider subscribing. May even drop my directv if it turns out to be good.
But... Isn't that the Apple way? Why would they care now? Their business model is based on forcing consumers into their devices...
$30 for unlimited access to everything they offer for TV, commercial free, is too good to be true (i think).
I like the Trey Parker and Matt Stone subscription method. I go to the official Southparkstudios.com site weekly and get the current episode with ads for free. Then the episode goes offline for a month or two due to contractual obligations, and then returns permanently (At least, so far it's been permanently, almost all episodes are online.)
This method gives a lot of their fans a distribution method that prevents us from needing to use other services. It also prevents a massive number of college students from pirating their episodes, and they've been doing this since before Hulu existed. (Which may be why they are not on Hulu yet?)
This method gives a lot of their fans a distribution method that prevents us from needing to use other services. It also prevents a massive number of college students from pirating their episodes, and they've been doing this since before Hulu existed. (Which may be why they are not on Hulu yet?)
Ironically, Southpark was the first television show I ever pirated. Back when I was in high school with a 56k modem I downloaded seasons 1 and 2 which were all about 5-10MB and all terrible quality. Ahh memories.
Yeah, I've used southparkstudios and it is awesome. Good service. And makes what Apple charges seem so much more ridiculous. I suppose if you want all the episodes from your iPhone/iPod or Apple TV you have to pay up or pirate.
I think at this point in the trend, cable providers should count themselves as lucky to be in a position to exert pressure on any content provider. In the future it could easily be Hulu, Netflix, and Apple instead of Comcast etc. We've already reached the tipping point where consumers are much more likely to choose their internet connection over their cable connection. In these economic times they'd really like to trade their cable subscription for something cheaper and easier that gives them the content they want instead of trying to give them expensive package deals.
If such a deal were struck, would you subscribe to shows for a monthly fee through iTunes?
I think your question's just been answered, although users will have more than iTunes to choose from.
Last edited by HalcyonX12 on 03 Nov 2009 - 21:20
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