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]

View Tags

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10119509-93.html

Categories

Analysis / Opinion Multimedia Rumors iTunes Apple TV

Has your favorite movie gone missing from iTunes or Netflix lately? The reason could be television, says CNET -- apparently a slew of...

Add a Comment

Sign in »

11 Comments

Filter by:

I,Robot

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.

January 07 2009 at 5:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ian

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?

December 12 2008 at 2:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

nanodalek

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.

December 12 2008 at 12:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

emil

So now torrenting is the only alternative, huh? really smart, do they *want* to lose money or what?

December 12 2008 at 11:35 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Hank

They're cutting off their nose to spite their face.

December 12 2008 at 10:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Hank's comment

glad

Before you know it they'll be in the big business welfare line asking for a govt handout.

December 12 2008 at 11:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kelmon

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.

December 12 2008 at 10:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

macFabri

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 ;)

December 12 2008 at 9:52 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to macFabri's comment

glad

what you don't already use torrents

December 12 2008 at 11:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

leroyjenkins

What's with the graphic? I think my 3 year-old nephew could make a better one using Microsoft Paint.

December 12 2008 at 9:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

seo