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Apple to Offer 99-Cent TV Show Rentals?

Tuesday August 24, 2010 11:52 am 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.

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