Apple pushing to cut the prices of TV episodes on iTunes?

Is there enough time for one more Apple rumor before we find out what the company will actually reveal today? Word comes from the Financial Times that Apple's been pushing to cut episode prices for (SD) television episodes on iTunes from $1.99 to just a buck each. We've called out prices as one of the major remaining drawbacks for digital distribution before, if these rumors are true and Apple is successful then buying per episode could be just as convenient as DVD boxed sets currently are. Of course, it's all rumor until things actually get started -- but if Steve fakes everyone out and releases that long-ago rumored Apple plasma instead of a tablet, you heard it here first.

[Via iLounge]

[DarthCardo Posted Jan 27th 2010 1:51PM]

would be interesting that a company as Apple finally decides to enter the HDTV market and picks up the current best flat panel TV tech that still is plasma, even if the whole masses prefer silly LCDs...but I don't think that's happening anytime soon...anyhow would be intriguing

[CRDFilm Posted Jan 27th 2010 4:30PM]

That would be awesome! I just got an Apple TV and I'd love to download shows that I don't necessarily need to have taking up space on my shelf if the set doesn't include any extras, but if it's cheaper to buy the physical media - which it shouldn't be with the costs of manufacturing disks, boxes, shipping, etc. - as opposed to digital versions then what's the point? Pricing on TV episodes and series sets really needs to be addressed. I know the networks and everyone involved in the production of a show wants their cut, but I'm sure they could sell more and make more money if the pricing was brought down to a level that everyone can afford.

[Meekermoloko Posted Jan 27th 2010 8:00PM]

I don't understand corporations sometimes. Disney has their $8 coupon for Disney Blu-rays offer if you own the DVD already, but you can only use the coupon in retail stores ... even though 99 out of 100 times, it is far cheaper to find it online without any coupon.

Amazon has HD one day streaming rentals for $4 to $5 that don't even really work half the time.

Buying TV episodes that cost $2 each ($3 for HD) ... times 24 episodes ($48 for a season, depending on the show, of course). Oh, and I guess you do get ten cents off for each episode if you do get the season. They all but force us to get the DVDs/Blu-Rays instead.

Obviously, there are people out there that buy these shows or movies ... otherwise they would've sold them for much cheaper by now.

[EM1 Posted Jan 27th 2010 11:32PM]

With my main computer attached to my HDTV I can't see myself paying to download SD content. HD content? Maybe a rental or two. I am patient enough to wait for Netflix in the mail or just stream HD content on the PS3.
Paying per rental/ download is way too expensive. If I am going to pay for HD, I want full HD. And by full HD, I mean HD audio too, no 128kbps audio track.

[Everkeen Posted Jan 28th 2010 3:52PM]

@EM1
+1 I agree totally. Why pay for SD when I can torrent a full HD movie and stream it to my PS3 anytime I want?

[Brian Posted Jan 28th 2010 1:07AM]

Still way to expensive. With shows having 10-25 episodes per season, even $2 a pop for a few various shows you could just get cable, a DVR, and come out even or even save money.

[metric Posted Jan 28th 2010 1:23PM]

iTampon

[Zoinks Posted Jan 29th 2010 1:26PM]

The real question nobody ever seems to ask is: Why are HD downloads more expensive than SD?

Movie trailers are still free to download in HD, so it's not bandwidth cost. It takes longer to download the HD version and you can't play HD video on as many devices, so it's actually less convenient. So why does it cost more?

My only guess is that, unfortunately, people are still buying them even with the extra cost. At least with Blu-ray discs there's a reason for the slightly higher price because the discs themselves cost more.