News
HBO coming to iTunes Store?
Apple will soon announce a deal with HBO to sell the premium cable network’s programming on the iTunes Store, according to a new report. Citing HBO employees involved in executing the agreement, Portfolio.com says the new offerings could be announced in the next few weeks. Although the details of the agreement are unknown, it appears as though Apple has agreed to a separate pricing structure for HBO content, with both higher pricing for HBO shows and a larger cut for the network possible stipulations. HBO employees said the deal was a result of pressure from parent company Time Warner, with one insider adding, “We should have done this a long time ago.”
Related Stories
- Apple censors ‘jailbreak’ on iTunes Store
- Report: Siri APIs, Siri for iPad coming in iOS 6?
- Apple hit with class action suit over iTunes billing
- iTunes Match rolls out to several new countries
- Apple offers eBook settlement in Europe
- Apple responds to DOJ eBook antitrust suit
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- INRIX Traffic adds Personalized Traffic, Map Enhancements
- Total Baby now universal, improves timer features
- DropCloud gets new name, live updates and inline previews
- Purported iPod touch 5G panel points to larger screen
- Griffin, Crayola team on Case Creator
- Apple working on two 4-inch iPhone prototypes
- Incase intros Book Jacket Revolution for iPad
- Apple, Samsung CEOs meet for talks
- Foxconn building new $210M Apple production line
- iLounge Weekly arriving Monday, giveaway update
Recent Reviews
- dreamGEAR i.Sound Power View Pro S 2.1A Dual Charging Dock
- dreamGEAR i.Sound Universal Power View
- Sena Cases Florence Portfolio for iPad (3rd-Gen)
- Mipow Power Tube 5500 + Power Tube Shake 2600
- Scosche Realm RH656m / RH656md Headphones
- Sena Cases Folio II for iPad (3rd-Gen)
- Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones
- iBattz Mojo Treble Keychain Cable with Card Reader
- Hex Code Folio for iPad 2 + iPad (3rd-Gen)
- Moshi Origo for iPad 2/iPad (3rd-Gen)
Recent Articles
- Converting Purchased Videos to 1080p HD
- Find My Friends always reports home location
- Creating an iTunes Match library from an external hard drive
- Benefits of keeping apps in iTunes when using iCloud
- Recovering iTunes from an External Hard Drive
- Normalizing volume levels for Voice Memos
- Replacement iPod nano not appearing in iTunes 9
- iOS Gems: ABC House, Kotomon, Luxor Evolved HD, N.O.V.A. 3 + Trucks HD
- Audiobooks and iTunes Match
- Consolidating apps to a single iTunes Store account
1
Does that mean Showtime TV shows will start costing more, as well?
Posted by superape on May 12, 2008 at 12:23 PM (PDT)
2
What until NBC gets wind of this… If HBO shows actually do debut at a higher price point all chaos is going to break loose with the other networks wanting more money.
I don’t think that move would be in Apples best interest at this point in time. Especially after NBC left because they wanted to sell shows at a higher price.
Posted by 3rdeye on May 13, 2008 at 12:17 AM (PDT)
3
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/hbo-programming-added-to-itunes-store/
Well, it appears certain shows are selling for a premium price point, so the precedent has been set.
However, NBC apparently wanted to sell shows at a significantly higher price ($4.99 per episode was one number that was being thrown around). They also wanted to adopt a per-episode pricing model, where new episodes would cost more on first release, and then drop in price over time.
The deal with HBO seems to have adopted a single “premium” price tag model thus far for certain shows, as opposed to certain episodes. It’s also important to note that these are shows that even cable subscribers normally pay a premium price tag for (in the form of HBO or other pay-TV subscriptions), and perhaps that was part of the logic that justified the higher pricing model.
Posted by Jesse Hollington in Toronto on May 13, 2008 at 8:19 AM (PDT)
4
Just like Jesse above said; I don’t think HBO gives NBC any kind of leverage at all with apple. Unlike NBC, that anybody with a TV and a set of rabbit ears can receive, HBO is programming that must be purchased. Thus giving their programming a, real or perceived, premium value.
Posted by ArtVandelay on May 14, 2008 at 5:06 AM (PDT)
5
Ok…
that makes sense. I didn’t look at it that way at first.
Posted by 3rdEye on May 14, 2008 at 11:11 AM (PDT)