Would you watch TV on iTunes for $30 a month?
Posted Nov 3rd 2009 12:42PM by Bob Sassone
The Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital blog is reporting that Apple is having meetings with TV networks to see if they'd be interested in having their programs available on iTunes in a deal where viewers would pay a monthly flat fee to watch the shows. Obviously, many networks already offer various shows on iTunes, but this would be a scenario where Mac and PC users of iTunes would pay a $30 a month subscription in order to watch TV shows. And that would be all shows, not just paying for each show that you want to watch.
I don't know if I'm ready for this yet. I still like watching TV on my TV (though you can watch iTunes videos on your TV). And if the networks were to agree to this, it would be a giant, fundamental shift in the way that people watch TV. And who knows what kinds of problems cable and satellite providers would cause. And how would the picture quality be? It's an intriguing concept though.
[via TUAW]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-03-2009 @ 12:46PM
Parl said...
If I could DL them to my iPod, I would 100% do this and if not for sports, I'd probably cancel my cable.
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11-03-2009 @ 2:06PM
Captain Obvious said...
Yeah, live sports is the one big issue for me.
11-03-2009 @ 12:53PM
Sancty said...
I'd consider it...
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11-03-2009 @ 4:59PM
Mike McNamara said...
Wow, if I could get my hacked XBox to stream to my TV, I'd really consider this. Even though the PC sits in my living room too and I could even see the screen from my couch, I've never been able to get into PC-viewing of programs. But this would be a cool option.
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11-03-2009 @ 1:26PM
Mrs.MGA said...
In a heart beat. Then I would cancel my ridiculous expensive cable and tell the cable co's to stick it up their butts.
Why are we paying premium prices to watch commercials???
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11-03-2009 @ 1:31PM
bruce said...
I assume this means TV shows without commercials, but sadly enough, I don't think that's even a safe assumption anymore. Maybe less commercials.
But for $30 a month, so much as one 5-second ad at the very beginning of the program is unacceptable.
Then if there are no commercials, that means if the shows start at the same time, they will finish 20 minutes (for an hourly show) earlier than they would on the live, free TV broadcast. So, for example, people watching the series finale of Lost commercial-free on the Apple pay medium would learn the secrets of everything about 20 minutes before everyone else. Either that, or the shows would have to start 20 minutes later. That would also be unacceptable. What's the advantage of that? Might as well just tivo it and wait 20 minutes before starting to watch.
This is why I think they plan on actually having commercials in this thing. The only novelty will be watching live TV on a tiny 2 inch screen. With commercials. For $30 a month. No thanks.
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11-04-2009 @ 11:36AM
Andy said...
What gave you the idea that this would be live? It would be same-night or next-day downloads, just like they have now.
11-04-2009 @ 12:05PM
bruce said...
Andy: If it's not live, what's the point?
11-03-2009 @ 1:40PM
wulfn1 said...
If it were commercial free tv, and for that price included all major networks and the common cable/satellite channels , it might be worth that much per month. Might.
But if it's only going to be select channels and commercials are to be included they need to adjust the monthly fee accordingly.
They also have to do away with the clip only views of certain shows.
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11-03-2009 @ 1:58PM
Anita said...
Ditto what everyone else says. That's the cost of basic cable. So, if I can get regular TV and basic cable channels, with or without commercials, I'm in.
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11-03-2009 @ 3:30PM
adrienne said...
Uhm, no because I have a DVR.
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11-03-2009 @ 2:17PM
Marc said...
If it included all major networks, and was commercial free, I'd consider it. But I think $30 is a bit excessive. $15-20 and I'd get it for sure.
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11-03-2009 @ 2:21PM
Arc|Angel said...
Anyone with bandwith caps is sure going to get a big surprise with a subscription to this service.
I have a few other questions people aren't asking:
(1) Does this include access to a full back library of a shows? If so that would sure hurt DVD sales I would think (which has been the saving grace of the DVD/TV industry)
(2) Do I have to maintain an annual subscription? If not, what is to stop me from subscribing for one month (taking a month of work lol) and watching the full seasons of all my shows.
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11-03-2009 @ 2:46PM
jasahl said...
Apple would have to make itunes available to other devices before I'd even consider that.
I purchase season passes for my favorite shows from Amazon's VOD service so I can watch them on my TV via Roku.
Amazon is available from many Sony, Samsung & LG televisions as well (although I don't understand why Sony doesn't make it available via the PS3).
Viewing on the PC is fine, but I don't want to have to hook up my laptop to the TV every time I want to watch a show I purchase & I certainly wouldn't pay $30 a month for that limitation.
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11-03-2009 @ 4:26PM
George said...
A $30 per month all-you-can-stream (or download) deal? Perhaps it could be done, but your $30 would barely cover the bandwidth and hardware costs. You'd definitely have commercials -- probably highly targeted commercials -- and you'd be trading a crapload of demographic data for your favorite TV shows.
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11-03-2009 @ 6:42PM
John said...
never in a million years
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11-03-2009 @ 7:26PM
Justin said...
I'd love for this to happen because it needs to happen. Cable costs are so exorbitant right now that a service like this would eventually cause cable companies to rightfully lower their prices, offer more channels at fair prices, and think of new ways to keep subscribers interested.
Admittedly, iTunes has to get live sports with this service for it to make a real dent and I imagine with the right sales pitch, they could nab the NFL fairly easy considering they are always trying to be cutting edge.
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11-04-2009 @ 6:44AM
Jen said...
Yes, yes, and yes! Doubt they would be offering it outside of the US though.
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11-04-2009 @ 6:49PM
daniel newman said...
HOW TO GET FREE TV! http://bit.ly/1IOCyh
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11-09-2009 @ 9:40PM
Vincent Rose said...
Absolutely, you bet I would. I drive a semi all over the USA and right now, I have the most basic, cheapest Directv service, with a DVR and the east&west coast feeds of CBS,NBC,ABC,FOX, and it's still over $60 per month. If itunes offers the same thing for $30, That right there would be a steal, as long as it's unlimited viewing, download anytime, that would be great!!!
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