Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Multimedia, Rumors, iTunes, Apple TV
TV exclusives taking movies off of iTunes?
Has your favorite movie gone missing from iTunes or Netflix lately? The reason could be television, says CNET -- apparently a slew of movies on iTunes and Netflix's streaming service have recently fallen prey to television exclusive agreements. With the onset of Apple TV and apps like Boxee making it possible to stream Netflix, TV networks with exclusive showing agreements have made sure that while they've got a lock on a movie, we can't watch it anywhere else.Of course, as CNET notes, it's about the money (isn't it always?). If studios can make more money from the TV networks than they can from online rentals, then obviously they're going to go with television. The only problem with that, however, is that with an exclusive agreement, they'll never know, will they?
And of course the other issue here is the actual definition of places like iTunes and Netflix -- obviously, retail stores aren't barred from carrying these movies, so does that mean that Netflix and iTunes are actually content channels rather than retailers? Tough issue. You have to think that it'll eventually be settled in favor of digital distribution (what consumer wouldn't want to watch a movie on their own time rather than sticking to a TV network's schedule), but until studios are convinced otherwise, exclusivity agreements will likely be the rule.
[via Apple Insider]
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
seo said 8:18AM on 12-12-2008
Turkey 3
Seo
Otomatik kapı sistemleri
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leroyjenkins said 9:20AM on 12-12-2008
What's with the graphic? I think my 3 year-old nephew could make a better one using Microsoft Paint.
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Alex said 9:52AM on 12-12-2008
well.. TV sucks and is forcing me to go torrents. Not on iTunes, so get form torrents. Thanks TV for save some of my money ;)
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glad said 11:27AM on 12-12-2008
what you don't already use torrents
Kelmon said 10:11AM on 12-12-2008
Question: how does the likes of Blockbusters fit into this and will similar restrictions apply to their recently announced streaming media player, "OnDemand"?
This is definitely one of the dumbest things I have heard but it does mean that I am abandoning my planned purchase of an Apple TV. The variable selection with films disappearing and the month's delay between a film being available to buy and it being available to rent means this isn't worth the hassle. Great concept but the movie studios insist on messing things up.
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Hank said 10:27AM on 12-12-2008
They're cutting off their nose to spite their face.
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glad said 11:29AM on 12-12-2008
Before you know it they'll be in the big business welfare line asking for a govt handout.
f said 11:38AM on 12-12-2008
So now torrenting is the only alternative, huh? really smart, do they *want* to lose money or what?
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nanodalek said 12:38PM on 12-12-2008
In my opinion Netflix is a content channel whereas iTunes is a retailer. I really do not want to "poo poo" anyone's idealistic ice cream but in hoping that digital distribution will be settled upon in a positive way is still far off, beyond the point of exclusive contracting. Heads of household and stock holders alike are vulnerable to the allure of disk media and may be bamboozled into adopting that before digital distribution. Just because we are adept at navigating the electronic tide and sailing the internet seas does not mean it is as easy for everyone else to do the same. If I had a dollar for everytime I had to break someone of watching shows on Youtube or upgraded them to Torrents from Limewire I would have the money I need to just buy the shows I want to watch on iTunes.
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Ian said 3:18PM on 12-12-2008
LOL! I stopped by to comment on the graphic and see that someone beat me to it. What is up with the crap TV/iTunes graphic TUAW?! Did the economy force you to fire your Photoshop person?
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iRobot said 5:40PM on 1-07-2009
Wow, that's kind of stupid. Don't you think?
So TV execs don't want people to watch their movies legally, but they take it off, and lock it away, so I'm forced to get it illegally?
Well...OK, if that's what you want.
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