September 8, 2024

Apple and NBC Clash Over NBC's iTunes Return

Posted September 11, 2008 at 11:39pm by iClarified · 4306 views
NBC has claimed that Apple made concessions to have their content back on iTunes. Apple strongly refutes any concessions.

NBC executives said Tuesday that Apple yielded to some demands on pricing and packaging made by the media conglomerate. In addition, they claimed that they will be allowed to set their own prices on special packages.

Apple has since responded with Eddy Cue, the vice president in charge of Apple's iTunes Store, telling Cnet that those claims are simply not true.

Cue said, "We're glad to have NBC back and they are participating under the same terms with all of the other content providers." He pointed out that NBC's pricing options have always been available and are the same as all other provider's.

For example, while most TV shows sell for $1.99 on iTunes, retailers have always been allowed to sell videos for less. "We've never told anyone they can't lower prices," he said.

Also, the $2.99 price NBC is selling its HD content for is the same price for all HD content. And when it comes to packages, Cue said there have been packages on iTunes before and thus it isn't a first for NBC.