HBO shows coming to iTunes Store?
updated 12:10 pm EDT, Mon May 12, 2008
HBO coming to iTunes?
Apple is on the verge of selling movies and TV shows from HBO, according to Portfolio. The publication cites HBO employees "involved in executing the agreement," who say that sales will be announced and launched at the same time, probably within one to two weeks. HBO is famous for a number of high-profile TV series, such as Deadwood, Flight of the Conchords and The Sopranos, as well as a number of first-run original films.
The sources on the deal claim that HBO's parent company, Time Warner, has managed to arrange for better terms than other networks, which have typically had their episodes sold for $1.99 apiece on the US iTunes Store. It is suggested that HBO programming may cost more, or that the network will take home a larger percentage of the profit on the current rate.
In any case the deal is expected to be mutually beneficial, as Apple wants to increase the adoption of its Apple TV set-top, and HBO wants to increase the revenue generated from its archives, even though it already sells box sets on DVD.
If Apple does agree to varied pricing, it may mark the formation of a trend at the company. Last week the UK iTunes Store began selling NBC/Universal programming at varied rates, something Apple has traditionally resisted, despite intense pressure from NBC that ultimately resulted in the network's shows being pulled from iTunes US.










Lower cable bill!
05/12, 11:34am reply
This means I could finally cancel HBO.
mindcrash
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
Hmm..
05/12, 12:17pm reply
Maybe I'll see the new season of Big Love after all...
GORDYmac
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Dec 1999
Nice!
05/12, 12:22pm reply
Anyone who has not seen 'Flight of the Conchords' needs to check that show out! It's the best show I've seen in a long time. Not that I encourage purchasing video on the iTunes Store, since the DRM prevents you from using it how you want. I'd go for the DVDs on this one...
WiseWeasel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 1999
HBO
05/12, 12:27pm reply
Why HBO canceled Deadwood in favor of John from Cincinnati, and why anyone would want to watch Bill Mahr is beyond me.
Getting on iTunes is a good move for HBO.
ClevelandAdv
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2004
who needs
05/12, 12:30pm reply
NBC shows when there are HBO shows? I gladly pay $10 a month for HBO.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Bill Maher rocks
05/12, 01:10pm reply
I love Bill Maher. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says but he really is great.
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001