Apple Goes Public With First TV Download Service
American computer giant Apple last night launched the world’s first legal download service for TV programmes, widening the appeal of its popular iTunes software with the addition of video content from American broadcasters, and unveiling a new video-capable iPod to accompany it.
Apple’s new service will allow consumers to download programmes following their broadcast, with the first TV content on the iTunes Music Store being hit US shows Lost, Desperate Housewives, Night Stalker, That’s So Raven and The Suite Life.
The shows inclusion follows a content deal between Apple and Disney, parent company of the programmes’ producer, ABC.
Episodes are currently available to American users for $1.99, with Jobs explaining: “you can buy current episodes, and you can buy them the day after they are broadcast. They’re ad free so you don’t need to fast forward through the commercials.”
The Apple boss went on to introduce the company’s new video-capable iPod personal music player, enabling consumers to take their purchased content on the move with them, as well as enabling their own content to be watched wherever they are.
The new software represents the first public outing for legal TV downloads, ahead of services such as the BBC’s internet media player (iMP), which is currently in the trial phase (see BBC Enters Second Phase Of Web TV Trial).
Apple: www.apple.com