James Delahunty
5 Feb 2006 16:29
CBS has confirmed that it is in talks with iTunes owner Apple Computer Inc., over the possibility of adding CBS programming to the current list of TV shows that iTunes offers to its customers. The talks were confirmed by CBS Digital Media president Larry Kramer in an interview with MarketWatch. This is part of a wider initiative by the company to attract new viewers of its content by making it available in a variety of formats.
This is more good news for Apple, as the company seeks to corner the demand for legal TV show downloading. The increasing interest in legal TV show downloading comes from years of rampant "TV piracy" on the Internet. The MPAA has targeted lawsuits at file sharers suspected of sharing copyrighted shows, even before any "real legal alternative" was offered to consumers.
CBS would probably prefer to be closer to Apple if its success in TV shows downloads will mirror in any way, the success of iTunes in music downloads. CBS will begin offering episodes of "Survivor" on the CBS website for $1.99 each, but unlike iTunes, you will only be able to view the content within 24 hours after ordering it.
Source:
Betanews