AfterDawn: News

Apple prepared to launch 99-cent TV show rental service

According to Bloomberg, Apple is currently deep into negotiations with News Corp., CBS and Disney trying to allow iTunes users to rent TV shows for 99 cents.

Says one analyst: "This is a smart move by everyone. Something like this a la carte rental service is an incremental opportunity and it doesn’t upset the existing ecosystem."



The move would also help Apple take back some share from Netflix and Amazon, which offer streaming or on-demand video services.

Bloomberg cited sources close to negotiations who also said Apple is set to introduce an updated iTouch with a higher-resolution screen, and an updated, cheaper Apple TV set-top box.

Apple had initially wanted to create a subscription TV service but the media companies balked, claiming it would strain relations with cable providers such as Comcast.

Apple, Fox, CBS and Disney all declined comment.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 24 Aug 2010 17:22

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• 3 comments

• baxter00

  Uh,really? 99 cents/show v. 9 dollars/month? I think I'll stick with Netflix.

  25.8.2010 00:10 #1

• bam431

  Still to much for me. Unless they have Pinky and the Brain, I love that show. Narf, Narf.
  

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  25.8.2010 03:34 #2

• KillerBug

  Originally posted by bam431: Still to much for me. Unless they have Pinky and the Brain, I love that show. Narf, Narf. That was a good show, and it was made back when TV shows were over 20 minutes long, but even still, it isn't worth $1 to watch one episode once.
  
  Netflix really needs to add them to "watch now".

  25.8.2010 04:04 #3