Apple, NBC Universal break off iTunes TV show talks

According to a Washington Post report, Apple and NBC Universal have ended negotiations aimed at keeping the studio’s TV programming on the iTunes Store. In August NBC Universal announced that it did not intend to renew its iTunes contract, which led to Apple announcing that it would not carry the studio’s fall schedule. When the current contract expires on Dec. 1, it is expected that all NBC Universal programming will be pulled from iTunes. NBC Universal has confirmed that it sent a letter on Oct. 9 asserting that Apple is in breach of contract, but no legal action is expected. In the same report, a source with knowledge of contract talks between the Warner Music Group and Apple claims that Warner may follow Universal Music Group’s lead and switch to a month-to-month deal to offer its content on iTunes, although the source also admits that no decision has yet been made.