NBC "In talks" with Apple

According to this article (paid subscription required) in the Wall Street Journal, Apple is courting NBC for video content to add to the iTunes Music Store. The availability of television shows in iTunes was, for me, the big news yesterday. When the iTunes Music Store was initially launched, people (rightly) questioned whether or not such a service would work, and attract people who had been downloading free (and illegal) music. I'm not suggesting that piracy has been eliminated by iTunes, but the store has demonstrated that people are willing to pay for online music. If Apple could do the same for television – demonstrate that people will shell out a couple of bucks for an episode of their favorite show (I will) – we'll have a huge change in the distribution of media. For me, two bucks is worth not having to weed through torrent files just to find what I'm after.

On a personal note, I'd really like to see Arrested Development and many of the FOX shows added to the music store. Famiy Guy on my iPod? Yes, please.

[Via iLounge]