http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
I am inches away from not watching TV at all - thank the gods of Cobol for Netflix.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 7:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 7:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 10:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
You guys need to realize that most of this is in reaction to the writer's strike (going on for over four weeks). The strike was not just over "more money," it was about the writers wanting more of a share in online and new media sales. This caused NBC to shift the blame entirely on distributers like Apple (whether or not this is a legitimate complaint is up to debate). BUT, because the strike isn't coming to any end, NBC had to make some kind of move to shift things. I.E., because blaming another company seemed like a cop-out, it's in NBC's best interest to take the majority of their sales into their own hands (also some sales through Amazon), so that way, they can more directly control the profits they receive from "new media," and throw some of their own bargaining chips on the table to end the strike.

Yes, they would have wanted mroe money from their iTunes sales, but it wasn't a desperate situation until the writers demanded more money from what they already considered to be marginal sales. By pulling their content, they might even be able to pin the writers down by saying their online sales have "significantly dropped," but who knows if they'll buy into the tactic.

]]>Dec 3rd 2007 12:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
Maybe Apple really did do something that NBC didn't think was right, so NBC did what they thought was best and pull what they could off of iTunes in retaliation. Could that be?

I'm not saying it is, but maybe we should look at it from both perspectives.

Many of us are mad at NBC, mainly because we do purchase stuff legally, and NBC pulling it off a convenient and well-known online store makes us all MAD. Also the way NBC now positions their content is also not as convenient for some.

But there could be something more deep into it, on a corporate level, and MAYBE, it's not NBC that's the bad guy. Maybe.

Does anyone think this could be possible? This is just a guess. So what do you think?]]>Dec 3rd 2007 12:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=itunesmusicstorenbctvshta4.png

I knew NBC would take down their shows a long time ago.. so I took a screen shot as a record. ;) (btw, I have a better resolution on my HD).]]>Dec 3rd 2007 1:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
That comment about the writer's strike would make sense if this were a recent decision by NBC. It's not. They decided to do this quite some time ago, well before the writers decided to strike.

In point of fact, it has little to do with NBC per se. Universal Music tried to renegotiate their contract with Apple to allow for them to charge more for their more popular singles. Apple refused to budge. Vivendi, which owns both Universal Music and NBC Universal, in turn has decided to use their own brand of hardball tactics: they're going to do what they can to crush the iTunes near-monopoly by withholding NBC Universal content. They might have removed Universal Music content, but as has been pointed out numerous times, iTunes is now (IIRC) the 3rd largest music retailer in the U.S. - Universal isn't about the slice their own throat. On the other hand, NBC Universal claims that they have made a mere pittance ($15 million) from their content on iTunes. So they're not losing nearly as much, while, in Vivendi's mind, potentially causing damage to Apple.

Long and convoluted, perhaps. But it never had anything to do with the writer's strike. Vivendi, along with many of the other media companies, want to charge whatever they want for popular content. Apple has insisted on flat pricing. So far, Apple has been able to hold their line. This is an effort on Vivendi's part to crush them.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 1:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 5:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 5:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 5:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
I suppose that one day I may miss something that I would have liked to have gotten, but seeing as Tivo gets all the stuff I like and I can transfer that to any device I wish, it would be a rare occurrance.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 6:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
Learn lessons from AT&T and NBC: Tango with El Jobso and the Rainbow App', and you'll be getting screwed that night. Royally.

Poor, poor business model.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
NBC inked the deal with Amazon long before the Apple contract was up and then made a show of unreasonable demands to Apple. They never intended to re-up with Apple, they just wanted the public to think it was Apple's fault and Amazon was coming to the "rescue". Watching business interactions for a while, I see this all the time in B2B contract negotiations. Even in manufacturing, this happens all the time that your company can "do no right" even when making your customer lots of money, on time... because they're management is taking business elsewhere behind your back. It's highly unprofessional the manner in which NBC pursued this. Think about the Wired quotes from the executives and it starts to make sense these guys are still the seedy dealers, with Apple in charge, the accounting was FAIR and they couldn't manipulate the numbers and that scared the H#LL out of them.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 6:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 3rd 2007 4:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
I would guess it's maybe 2-3%? Low enough that NBC doesn't care.
]]>Dec 2nd 2007 6:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 7:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 8:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 8:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 8:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
Woooord!]]>Dec 3rd 2007 2:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
www.isquint.org/ is the software you'll need if you have a mac.

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/ If you have a PC.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 6:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
Ok, they've fallen out with Apple but that's no reason to exclude the entire Mac community... It's not really fair on them, who've not had anything to do with this whole affair.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
Seriously. I own a Zune, and while Zune Marketplace is wonderful to browse through, there isn't any TV shows or movies to download. I would gladly pay for it, if it was offered, but it's not. I know MS is working out deals and all, but it would be nice if companies would just go ahead, and sell on all stores.

So maybe NBC will at least go to other online stores since it decides Apple isn't worth it. Just maybe.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 7:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
"I don't disagree with Apple on anything other than that they didn't allow T-Mobile (OR OTHER GSM Service) support for their iPhone. (I don't really care about anything other than that, where this is concerned, to be honest)

Ok, Apple wants to make tons of money, but that's no reason to exclude the entire T-Mobile (OR OTHER GSM Service) community... It's not really fair on them, who've not had anything to do with this whole affair and just want the latest."

The point here is Corporate America doesn't care about their customers. They are in this to make money. Some may call this "Exclusive Deal" while others may refer to it as "Discrimination".]]>Dec 2nd 2007 11:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 9:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
"Shows that are produced by other studios are still available and being sold through iTunes."

Chuck and Journeyman are on NBC, but produced by different studios.]]>Dec 3rd 2007 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
Really, though, television episode downloads should be available through your cable provider. I literally pay a staggering $100 per month for standard cable and internet, so why should I pay more just to "keep" an episode that could easily be recorded? Ridiculous.]]>Dec 2nd 2007 6:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 7:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
Welcome back into the cold, OS X brethren. Don't think we've forgotten how quickly you switched from crying "support cross platform" to "Mac and Windows is enough, nobody else has enough marketshare" -- but welcome nonetheless. ]]>Dec 2nd 2007 10:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 11:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 3rd 2007 7:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/
(Dog flies shirt making what goodbye)]]>Dec 11th 2007 4:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 6:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 8:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/02/nbc-content-gets-removed-from-itunes/Dec 2nd 2007 8:48PM