Apple Removes 99-Cent TV Show Rentals from iTunes Store and Apple TV [Updated]
The option to rent episodes of TV shows is no longer available on either the Apple TV, or when browsing content via Apple's iTunes application. Previously, participating networks offered users the ability to rent a TV episode for 99 cents, with 30 days to begin watching and 48 hours to complete it.
As further evidence that the ability to rent TV shows has been removed completely, an Apple support document entitled "iTunes Store: How to rent TV shows," has been removed from the Web. A Google cache of the page is still available.
Movie/TV show feature from Apple TV page: before (left) and after (right) changes
Apple launched 99-cent TV show rentals alongside the revamped Apple TV last September, but networks were reluctant to sign onto the program, finding the pricing too low for their tastes. The program launched with ABC and Fox on board, but Warner Brothers, NBC, Viacom, and other opted out. It appears that Apple has finally decided to cancel the program as it has been unable to bring a critical mass of studios on board.
Update: AllThingsD has a statement from Apple:
“iTunes customers have shown they overwhelmingly prefer buying TV shows,” Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said. “iTunes in the Cloud lets customers download and watch their past TV purchases from their iOS devices, Apple TV, Mac or PC allowing them to enjoy their programming whenever and however they choose.”
Top Rated Comments
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I'm not liking what this Tim Cook guy is doing :P
(sarcasm)
Seriously! he destroyed apple overnight!
tv shows where not really rental material , the occasion when i wold actually watch a tv show 2 or more times is very very rare
:confused:
So... because you won't watch them multiple times, it makes more sense to you to buy them at three times the price (and keep them on your drive for all those future non-viewings) than to rent them?
or perhaps we will see some kind of an "all you can eat' tv subscription service from apple?
That would be nice, but the issue all comes down to lack of content. iTunes doesn't have enough yet to satisfy most consumers. Too bad, I am looking for the day I can drop my cable bill for good.
tv shows where not really rental material , the occasion when i wold actually watch a tv show 2 or more times is very very rare so it was just nor profitable, but let`s hope the buy prince will be close to rent price or they will just price them self out of business
blink blink... isn't that the purpose of rental? You don't rewatch it so why bother owning it?
I'll never participate in itunes TV model with these insane prices... just to watch the daily show & colbert every night for a month I would have to pay more than half my entire cable bill. There's just no way I'm doing that.
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