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HBO, Apple Close Deal for iTunes Store Content

Submitted by Chris Barylick on May 13, 2008 - 9:58am.
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According to sources close to the story, HBO, Time Warner's premium television subsidiary, is reported to have reach an agreement with Apple to make its content available for purchase on the iTunes Store within the next few weeks. The deal reportedly contains a stipulation wherein for the first time, Apple has agree on a separate and distinctive pricing structure for the television show provider within its iTunes Store structure.

"One possibility is that HBO programming will have a higher retail price than the flat $1.99 fee Apple currently charges for video content," said Portfolio.com. "[A]nother is that HBO will receive a larger cut of the same flat rate than other iTunes content providers receive."

In either case, the deal would present opportunities for both parties. HBO, which currently offers an online service only accessible to its television subscribers, would be able to tap a much broader audience in iTunes' 50 million registered users.

The deal would offer shows such as "The Sopranos," "Entourage" and "The Wire" to the iTunes store and also help move Apple products such as the iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV, which can store iTunes Store content and play the programs back at a later point in time.

[Via Portfolio.com]

Submitted by weisen (not verified) on May 13, 2008 - 10:05am.
The fact that the content is already on iTunes would be a strong indication that the rumors are true.

Submitted by dark_coupon on May 13, 2008 - 1:46pm.
this is awesome...I've always wanted HBO shows on iTunes. I don't mind that they cost more either, their DVD's usually cost like $150 for a season of any given show anyway.