News
HD TV shows now on the iTunes Store, NBC returns [updated x2]
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
News Category: iTunes
Apple today announced that with iTunes 8.0, HD TV shows are now available on the iTunes Store, including content from longtime holdout NBC/Universal. The new HD offerings are priced at $2.99 per episode, or $1 more than the SD versions of the same shows, and can be viewed through iTunes on a computer or from the Apple TV. Content from NBC includes the popular shows “Heroes,” “The Office,” “Battlestar Galactica,” and “30 Rock,” while select programs from ABC, Showtime, and CBS are also available in HD.
“The return of our shows to iTunes is terrific news for everyone who loves television and the ease and convenience of Apple’s iTunes,” said Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal. “And now, by offering consumers a variety of new options, our fans have even more ways to enjoy our content.”
“We are thrilled that NBC is back on iTunes in time for the Fall TV season,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “NBC has some of TV’s most popular shows and now customers can purchase and download them from iTunes in SD or stunning HD.”
Update: In addition to the new HD TV show offerings, Apple has added the ability to pre-order upcoming movie releases.
Update x2 According to the iTunes Store, each HD-quality episode purchased includes an SD version for viewing on an iPod or iPhone. From the iTunes Store: “Every HD episode comes with a standard definition version, perfect for viewing on the go on your iPod and iPhone. When you sync your show to your iPod or iPhone, iTunes will automatically transfer the right version.”
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1
How funny. It is like they simply threw a switch an brought back a lot of the old shows including all of the original reviews. For example Chuck has 441 reviews.
Posted by parkds on September 9, 2008 at 12:27 PM (PDT)
2
And a Vivendi/NBC/Universal patsy executive has now been fired or demoted somewhere…
Posted by Just for Quix on September 9, 2008 at 1:04 PM (PDT)
3
Just put some of the free TV shows in my cart and the HD are showing up as ‘unavailable’ and the regular TV shows are showing in my iTunes shopping cart as HD and ‘unavailable’. Even the pay for episodes are showing as HD and ‘unavailable’. Eureka is showing under the ‘Free’ TV shows for $2.99.
They have several free TV shows in the store but they are showing up in the cart as unavailable: Battlestar Galactica, In Plain Sight, Monk, Heros, Eureka & Life to name a few I’m trying to purchase.
Posted by Audrey McGirt on September 9, 2008 at 1:17 PM (PDT)
4
#1 Although you’re completely correct that the shows were just switched back on and include existing reviews, I should note that “Chuck” was actually never removed in the first place, as it’s not produced by NBC—it only airs on NBC. Likewise for Journeyman.
However, looking at shows like BSG and Heroes, it’s obvious for those seasons that were available before that the existing pages (and likely the content) are the same as before.
Posted by Jesse Hollington in Toronto on September 9, 2008 at 2:25 PM (PDT)
5
To get the free TV episodes that are showing up as “unavailable” after you add them to the shopping cart, temporarily change your shopping option to one-click. If you use one-click, the free TV shows will start downloading automatically.
Posted by Peter on September 9, 2008 at 3:14 PM (PDT)
6
And now even the one-click purchase isn’t working for me for the HD episodes.
Ah, well - we’ll see when they let us get the freebies…
Posted by Bibulb on September 9, 2008 at 7:00 PM (PDT)
7
@#5 - Thank you Peter that worked. They are all downloading now.
Posted by Audrey McGirt on September 9, 2008 at 7:47 PM (PDT)
8
Peter, thanks in the one click trick. My free videos are downloading as we speak. Any word on when Apple is going to correct this bug?
Posted by Jeff on September 9, 2008 at 8:12 PM (PDT)
9
Awesome, I’m thrilled about all the free video episodes available, I can’t wait to see the HD episode quality and you have to love the free SD version! Very nice.
Posted by skadiwolf on September 9, 2008 at 11:31 PM (PDT)
10
Congratulations goes out to Jeff Zucker on finally removing his head from his own @$$ and realizing that NBC/Universal needs Apple and iTunes more than Apple and iTunes needs them.
Posted by John on September 9, 2008 at 11:35 PM (PDT)
11
They’ve had the ability to pre-order movies for a while now haven’t they?
Posted by Brandon on September 10, 2008 at 8:32 AM (PDT)
12
I have pre-ordered movies in the past. Why is there an announcement about it now?
Posted by Dave on September 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM (PDT)