OMEN
09-01-2007, 11:08 PM
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44086000/jpg/_44086667_cast_bbc203.jpg
Heroes is among the shows that will not be available on iTunes.
Television programmes such as Heroes will not be available for download on iTunes in the US, after broadcaster NBC Universal ended its deal with Apple.
Apple said that NBC had demanded more than double its previous wholesale price for its programmes.
This meant that shows would cost users $4.99 an episode, rather than the current $1.99, Apple added.
NBC is the biggest provider of video downloads to the Apple online store, accounting for about 40% of sales.
This includes 30% of the television shows which Apple sells through iTunes.
NBC's current deal with Apple was due to end in December, but Apple said it would not sell new series of programmes as this would mean it had to end them mid-series.
Piracy talks
"We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase," said iTunes Vice-President Eddy Cue.
"We hope they will change their minds and offer their TV shows to the tens of millions of iTunes customers."
Observers say NBC's decision was the latest effort by a media firm to seek more control from Apple over the pricing of its output.
Last month Universal Music Group was reported to be not renewing its annual contract to sell its music through iTunes - opting to have monthly deals instead.
That would allow Universal to remove songs by some or all of its artists quickly if there are disagreements on terms and pricing in the future.
NBC has been in separate talks with Apple to impose stronger piracy protection on its downloads.
Among its aims are to stop pirated material from being uploaded to iPods.
BBC
Heroes is among the shows that will not be available on iTunes.
Television programmes such as Heroes will not be available for download on iTunes in the US, after broadcaster NBC Universal ended its deal with Apple.
Apple said that NBC had demanded more than double its previous wholesale price for its programmes.
This meant that shows would cost users $4.99 an episode, rather than the current $1.99, Apple added.
NBC is the biggest provider of video downloads to the Apple online store, accounting for about 40% of sales.
This includes 30% of the television shows which Apple sells through iTunes.
NBC's current deal with Apple was due to end in December, but Apple said it would not sell new series of programmes as this would mean it had to end them mid-series.
Piracy talks
"We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase," said iTunes Vice-President Eddy Cue.
"We hope they will change their minds and offer their TV shows to the tens of millions of iTunes customers."
Observers say NBC's decision was the latest effort by a media firm to seek more control from Apple over the pricing of its output.
Last month Universal Music Group was reported to be not renewing its annual contract to sell its music through iTunes - opting to have monthly deals instead.
That would allow Universal to remove songs by some or all of its artists quickly if there are disagreements on terms and pricing in the future.
NBC has been in separate talks with Apple to impose stronger piracy protection on its downloads.
Among its aims are to stop pirated material from being uploaded to iPods.
BBC