Apple May Sell 99c TV Show Episodes for iPad
Apple could lower content prices to encourage more people to buy the iPad.
The latest rumor regarding the Apple iPad is one that should interest more than just the people who purchase the device. The Financial Times reports that Apple will test 99c TV shows when the iPad launches. Citing people familiar with the matter, the aim of lowering price is to ignite sales.
FT reports that while some television companies have agreed to lower prices and media execs are being subjected to the pressure of declining DVD sales and cut-price rental prices, it's not yet clear how many or which networks have agreed to lower selected shows to 99c. Some media companies have said they have yet to be approached.
Would you be tempted to buy through iTunes if more content was at the lower end of the price spectrum? Engadget reports that, at the moment, some standard definition content previously priced at $1.99 on the iTunes has dropped to 99c already.
Read the full story on the Financial Times.
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HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, No, guess I will just watch the shows on tv for free
No need for restricted hardware to watch tv when I have a very good tv (that i hardly watch anyway) and no need to pay to watch it 
I think ill stick to screwing hollywood on my 1920*1080 24'' LCD...
Pretty much any show on TV can be watched legally for free on the internet. Charging for this sounds like a stupid tax on inept people who pay for things without thinking about it. Oh wait, I think I just described the entire Apple business model. Nevermind, nothing new to see here.
Oh no... Apple is going to screw the free TV shows available on TV and on the network sites.... in the end we the consumer is short changed...
Can you stop writing articles about this useless product? Let it die already.
Let's see...
Hulu (and others) = FREE
Hulu uses Flash...
Apple won't allow Flash...
Apple wants to sell TV for $1-$2 per pop.
Not a coincidence now is it...
So.
Apple == No choice in content source + CHARGED for what everyone is getting FREE.
EPIC FAIL. I WILL PASS.
Pay $1-2 for a movie and subscription fee for iPad? No sorry.
I'm also sticking with YT and Hulu (free).
Away, you apple tax! You do not belong here! Away I say!
apple is seeming more and more like the government lotsa taxes everywhere
99¢ ad-free Full-HD show? It's beginning to sound interesting. If you think of it, it's more or less the same as buying a whole season on BR/DVD.
99¢ ad-free Full-HD show? It's beginning to sound interesting. If you think of it, it's more or less the same as buying a whole season on BR/DVD.
Hah knowing Apple, this will be filled with Ads!
Most likely SD, but still ad-free
Hulu uses Flash...
There's a rumor that they work on HTML5 (Flash-free) version for iPad
Though I do feel stupid to buy TV shows while paying my DirectTV at home, paid download TV shows do service me well.
Since I never really have the time to sit at home watching my favorite shows, and using my company's internet for my personal entertainment is never a good idea...
Listening them at work or watching them during my lunch break/workout appear to be my best option(sorry.. torrent is never my cup of tea). Since I only buy the shows I like a lot, it is more like buying the DVD with only 1-3 days delay after each episode.
So back to the topic... is lowering the price of each episode good for me? Sure!!! (though some episode is already around this price if I buy the season pass). I just hope that price will be available for all iTune users not just for iPad only (for sure I am not getting the iPad... hmm... at least not the 1st generation).
I have no problmed paying reasonable fees for content, BUT I hate iTunes and until either Apple opens up their infrastructure (not likely) or a competetive Windows or Linux based alternatives exist that are widely adopted then I'll stick with NetFlix and my Roku!
LOL! I guess they have to do SOMETHING to make this POS appear to be worthwhile...... Too bad! I never watch TV shows and never buy Apple.
My impression is they will keep these prices at 99c for about a year to get folks hooked into it, and then they'll raise the prices back up when it's too inconvenient for people to switch.
Are there any user friendly (not for us, but the other 98%) products that can hook a dvr to a computer and let you watch your tv shows on your computer etc. Or is that beyond the licensing that DVRs allow?
I would never buy a tv show.
I will stick to my two HTPC's (one with gaming specs) 11TB total HD's
I already pay for TV. Why would I pay for it twice. Put windows 7 Home premium on the ipad. I would simply use the "make a copy" feature in Media center.
Do that and I may buy one as a media player for air travel.
Don't do that and I will most likely buy a netbook or archos 9 next time.
Didn't Apple learn anything from Apple TV?
@Necronic
Don't use your supplier's DVR, run your signal through a tuner card and use media center.
Only hardcore apple users will buy a tv show from itunes.
Because they don't know any better.
"Would you be tempted to buy through iTunes if more content was at the lower end of the price spectrum?"
And be locked to Apple? No.
Sorry no, I'm not going to pay for TV programs when I can legitimately get them for free already, all be it the streams are all UK only but free is still allot less then $1 given how easily that's going to add up.