Apple Must Address Piracy Issues Before NBC TV Content Returns To iTunes

News Type: Event — Seeded on Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:50 AM EDT

Article Source: Ars Technica

technology, apple, iphone, ipod, nbc, itunes, piracy, ipods, fairplay

NBC says it wants to be able to put its TV content back on the iTunes Store, but still has a few reservations—one of which could hold the network back from joining iTunes forever. NBC would still like to be able to bump up prices—something that Apple has been stubborn about in the past, but has shown it's open to negotiation over when it comes to movie licensing. NBC would also like Apple to tighten up its DRM, however, in such a way that would block NBC's content from being transferred onto iPods.

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{"commentId":1706369,"authorDomain":"killfile"}

Killfile

I'm sure there's a real issue here but part of me has to wonder if the fact that NBC conspicuously appears in the name of the parent company of this website - MSNBC.com - where the MS stands for Microsoft has anything to do with that.

It's not as if Gates and Jobs are the best of friends.

{"commentId":1706369,"threadId":"252007","contentId":"1438599","authorDomain":"killfile"}

#1 - Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:18 AM EDT

{"commentId":1706389,"authorDomain":"leveldown"}

leveldown

For once this has nothing to do with MS. The issue with regards to DRM is a red herring as Apple's DRM is just as robust as other video services such as Hulu which NBC endorse. The "pricing" is issue is a misnomer as well. When NBC say there is a pricing issue what they mean is Apple wouldn't let them sell bundles, i.e. We'll sell you the show you want for $3.99 with some crappy show you don't want.

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#1.1 - Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":1706577,"authorDomain":"killfile"}

Killfile

What about series? I keep wondering if someone will offer me the ability to buy, say, a season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on iTunes.

{"commentId":1706577,"threadId":"252007","contentId":"1438599","authorDomain":"killfile"}

#1.2 - Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:27 AM EDT

{"commentId":1706590,"authorDomain":"leveldown"}

leveldown

There has always been the ability to buy a whole series on iTunes. The issue with bundling was bundling one good series with one crappy series rather than bundling a series together.

{"commentId":1706590,"threadId":"252007","contentId":"1438599","authorDomain":"leveldown"}

#1.3 - Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:31 AM EDT

{"commentId":1706638,"authorDomain":"killfile"}

Killfile

(You can see how much video I buy on iTunes)

Ok.... that doesn't make any sense at all. Yea, I can see why that would piss Apple off.

What I meant with Buffy was old series. iTunes would seem a great way to distribute less popular series that don't otherwise justify a DVD release. Buffy obviously does justify such a release, but a campy 80s show that no one much likes might not.

{"commentId":1706638,"threadId":"252007","contentId":"1438599","authorDomain":"killfile"}

#1.4 - Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:45 AM EDT

{"commentId":1706657,"authorDomain":"leveldown"}

leveldown

NBC wanted to view it like a pop music album. 2 hits 8 songs of filler.

{"commentId":1706657,"threadId":"252007","contentId":"1438599","authorDomain":"leveldown"}

#1.5 - Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:50 AM EDT

{"commentId":1706963,"authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

AdipicAcid

And GE's earnings took a spanking this quarter. Perhaps when they spin NBC off to appease the shareholders, someone with a clue will buy it.

Like maybe Apple.

{"commentId":1706963,"threadId":"252007","contentId":"1438599","authorDomain":"acidreflux"}

#1.6 - Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:12 AM EDT

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KILLFILE

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Apple Must Address Piracy Issues Before NBC TV Content Returns To iTunes

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