More fallout on the NBCU-Apple slapdown
Cory Bergman August 31st, 2007
It’s the media vs. technology showdown of the summer, that’s for sure.
- Disney stands by iTunes, which is no surprise given Steve Jobs is on the board. “Clearly the availability of these programs [on iTunes] if anything is helping the linear channel,” says Disney exec.
- Forrester Research analyst is surprised by Apple’s response. “Apple is totally dependent on NBC and the rest of the content creators to make their video playback devices, such as the Apple TV and iPod, valuable,” he says.
- PCWorld bloggers say they would buy episodes of The Office on iTunes for $4.99. Somebody please buy them a DVR.
- Silicon Alley Insider does some rough math and figures the NBC-iTunes deal is worth $70 million. “This is an ugly spat for now. But expect it to end with a reconciliation.”
- Terry Heaton: “Losing this content hurts NBCU much more than it will hurt Apple. Let’s watch and see what happens.”
- Forbes: “There’s still pressure on both sides to conclude a deal.”
- The networks don’t need iTunes, says CNNMoney.com blogger.
6 Comments Add your own
1. Joe | August 31st, 2007 at 4:24 pm
I agree with Terry. NBC is once again shooting itself in the foot. They are a content provider, not a retailer. They will relearn that lesson shortly after Hulu.com craters and joins the NBBC on the junk heap. Heroes and the Office are great shows, but aren’t worth $4.99 each episode. Not when I have a TiVo. Given his record, though, I expect Zucker to stick to his guns, and go down blazing again. Frankly, it hasn’t hurt his internal standing at GE much.
2. Did Katie add Jeff to her list? | August 31st, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Has Zucker ever made a correct move as he moved higher up the ladder?
NBC will probably finish in 4th……………again………with him at the helm. What does it take for him to get canned?
3. Charles | August 31st, 2007 at 5:18 pm
ABC makes many of it’s programs avalible on iTunes for paid download, or for free streaming on ABC.com and most affiliates websites. And of course, traditional TV, which can be time-shifted. THEY understand the value of putting shows out in as many ways as possible. FOX and CBS also kind of seem to get this, too.
NBC tried to be a geek’s friend with all it’s Heroes/Chuck/Bionic Woman campaigning, but can that coveted crowd forgive them for something like this? NBC is deliberatly depriving them of using their iPods in the future. It’s a huge blow to fans and to the concept of modern media. What good is a summer of targeting geeks if you just upset them weeks before premiere season? Somebody at NBC needs to be slapped.
4. Dylan | September 1st, 2007 at 9:24 am
I look forward to seeing NBC fall from fourth place to behind the CW next year.
5. Tonto Weinstein | September 2nd, 2007 at 7:43 am
All networks should be piping all the content to iTunes free of charge. Just sell commercials that are targeted toward geeks and iPod/iPhone users.
Unless NBC becomes a premium style cable channel without commercials (like HBO), then there is absolutely no reason to assume there will be serious money from downloads. I certainly wouldn’t pay to see Heroes.
6. Pat Knowd | September 2nd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
NBC never said that it would pull out of iTunes, but only that it was dissatisfied with the financial terms Apple offered. Then Apple raised the stakes by announcing it would not offer NBC’s shows for the upcoming TV season and alleged that NBC Universal was asking for a price hike that would have required Apple to raise retail prices from $1.99 to $4.99.
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