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Apple Video Sales Strong, More Programming On the Way

Apple Video Sales Strong, More Programming On the Way

by , 12:45 PM EDT, October 26th, 2005

Apple's experiment with adding video content to the iTunes Music Store seems to be turning out well. Apple executives are pleased with the performance so far, and told the Sydney Morning Herald that TV program sales have exceeded expectations.

Eddie Cue, the global head of iTunes commented "The result from video has been great, as has the customer feedback."

ABC seems pleased, too. It announced that negotiations are underway to clear the rights with musicians, actors and directors so that more shows will find their way on to the iTunes Music Store. More programming beyond Desperate Housewives, Lost and Night Stalker should be available by early 2006.

The popularity of video downloads has iTunes users outside of the United States wondering when they get to join in, and that's exactly what Australian's wanted to know at the launch of the Australian version of the iTunes Music Store on October 25.

Apple is keeping that information to itself. Mr. Cue said "It's something we just started in the U.S. and we have nothing to announce at this time."

Apple isn't sharing the numbers yet from video sales, but the open excitement among executives implies those numbers are fairly high. If that's the case, then Apple's expansion into the video market outside the U.S. can't be too far off, especially since people are buying video capable iPods all over the world.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: HD?

Start selling programs in High-Definition and I'm all over it!

Close Name:dhp Posts: 182 Joined: 22 May 2003
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Start selling programs in High-Definition and I'm all over it!


Don't hold your breath. We're not even to S-VHS quality yet.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Quality

A big part of it is hard drive space and download speeds. If you downloaded HD content, it would take forever to download even on very fast connections. Also, it would take up a ton of disc space. The new video iPods are plenty roomy, but HD content would eat them for breakfast.

Close Name:aleks Posts: 21 Joined: 20 Apr 2005
Subject: quality, quality, quality!!!!

Ok so by now we all know that the video quality in the iTunes music store is not apropiate to play in your 60 inch cinema displays. I wish alot of you guys just would get over that. It is primaraly to be played on the iPod. Very small screen. I remember when all this video iPod stuff was just a rumor and we were all salivating untill the last mpmnets when it finally arrived. remember how we all thought that the iPod Video would be an additionto the iPod line and therefore, since it would play vid, it would probably be around 450-500bucks!. Aren't you all just glad that there is no seperate lineup? It is still the iPod, with added video for your ass!!! The people that are complaining about the quality of the video seem to want it for much more than just the iPod. It's just an impulse buy guys. You miss a show, you download the show, and watch it while your wife or girlfriend c=screams at you for wasting half the rent money. Or you go on a road trip, wich half the time you wil be a passenger, you take your vids with you. If you want high quality, for heavens sake, men, just go to wal mart, best buy, circuit city, or record the freakin show!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No tivo? Pawn Shop!!! Grab a VCR for 5 bucks so you can record buffy the vampire slayer while you are out doing some kickflips or at starbcks. I mean if the end ressult is your desire to view the video on a screen bigger than the iPod, by all means, go for it. Just be glad that you did not have to pay extra for the video capabilities of yur iPod, but that it is there if you ever do want to use it. by the way, I have one not yet, but I wnet to the local apple store, got my hands on one, and man is the video sweet on those things! They have the eminem iPod commercial plus a few movie trailiers on them. I tell you, you will absolutely just love it!!!!! Oh and like I allways say when I post on here, not hating on you fellow apple zealots, just in me to be the voice of reason. Peace...

Close Name:Guest
Subject: If only

Missed 2 shows last week forgot to video them and if only I had the chance to download them it would have been a life saver (ok over exageration but get the jist). This is a niche market that will establish itself and grow big time there after. Can't wait for it to arrive here in UK.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: guest

most important is this, that even if you view it at a certain angle the periferial point clicks away , try it and you will be surprise, but the real news here
is not that it can but that it has the potential to really do it

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