Got a tip for us? Share it...
• • RSS

Apple to Offer 99-Cent TV Show Rentals?

Tuesday August 24, 2010 12:52 pm PDT by Arnold Kim

Bloomberg reports that Apple is in advanced talks with News Corp. to let iTunes users rent TV shows for 99 cents each. Other media companies are said to also be considering the possibility.

Viewers would be able to rent programs from News Corp.'s Fox for 48 hours, said the people, who declined to be identified because discussions arent public. CBS Corp. and Walt Disney Co., where Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs is a board member and the largest shareholder, also are in talks about joining the effort, the people say.

Apple is said to be counting on video content to increase the appeal of their iOS devices such as the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Bloomberg also reiterates rumors that Apple is planning on launching a high-resolution iPod Touch and $99 Apple TV in the near future.

Talk of 99 cent TV show rentals has circulated before and is believed to be an alternative plan to an online subscription TV service that could not be solidified for fear of alienating cable providers.
[ 178 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
Mad Mac Maniac
19 months ago
That is a bit expensive for a tv show rental....

More in the price range of a tv show buy or a movie rental
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
emsilva
19 months ago
Would it be .99 per episode, or .99 per serie?
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
devinher
19 months ago
I would absolutely love this. There are very few shows that I want to "buy" and the current prices are just way too high. 99 cents is an impulse buy "no brainer" and would shift some of my viewing from Hulu to iTunes. Great move.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
Brinkman
19 months ago
This would be great if you could rent them the same night as it's broadcast and without commercials!
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
swingerofbirch
19 months ago
I'd prefer that to the current model. $1.99 is too much for something I don't want to see more than once and also with buying a show I feel obligated to store it. It's hard to throw something you've bought that you could keep into the trash—at least for me.

Plus, if I buy a show or movie, I like to buy blu-ray. I know I am in the minority there, or at least going against what people say the trends are.

So, this would be appealing, especially if it were 720p at 99 cents.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
moneyman118
19 months ago
Per episode. There is no way it can be any lower. People are not going to pay that. Apple would have to get in the game of Providing content whether ala-carte or pre-determined packages.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
KnightWRX
19 months ago
Too expensive. Renting a show for .99$ ? Cable is just much cheaper. Heck, buying the DVDs is cheaper and leaves you owning the show for multiple viewings.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
Sky Blue
19 months ago
Seems expensive for a one-off show. I'd rather pay $20-$30 a month to stream any of the available channels.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
alex.sebenski
19 months ago
.99 cents is cheaper than the 3.99 you would have to spend now.

A monthly subscription for an unlimited service would be the only surefire way for this sort of service to do amazingly.

Apple TV is mentioned but what is it? Is it a television or another "box"? :P
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
Avatar
Chupa Chupa
19 months ago
.99 TV show rentals make Hulu Plus seem like a bargain. Think about it for $10 a month you get unlimited views of TV shows AND your subscription isn't locked to a single device. Hopefully the subscription plan is more enticing or I sense a rare Apple belly flop.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

[ Read All Comments ]