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September 4, 2007 3:04 PM PDT

NBC says goodbye to Apple, hello to Amazon

Posted by Greg Sandoval

NBC Universal didn't waste any time replacing Apple.

Episodes of The Office and Heroes will begin appearing at Amazon's Unbox starting next Monday, according to a statement released by the companies.

Amazon customers can download the pilot shows for new series, such as Bionic Woman, and Chuck, free of charge and in advance of their network premiers. Other shows will be available on Amazon Unbox the day after they air. Amazon and NBC Universal are offering a range of packages, including a 30 percent off deal when purchasing a complete season in advance.

NBC Universal and Apple engaged in a public relations battle last week. The spat started when NBC announced it would not renew a long-term contract to offer TV shows for download on iTunes because Apple wasn't offering favorable enough terms.

In response, Apple said it wouldn't sell NBC's shows for the upcoming season.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 61 comments (Page 1 of 3)
Does Amazon Unbox work on the iPod?
by Galaxy5 September 4, 2007 3:58 PM PDT
Or on a Mac?
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yawn
by Dalkorian September 4, 2007 3:58 PM PDT
Who cares. The only things to watch on NBC are commercials anyway, which are annoyingly interrupted every 15 minutes to give you 5 minutes of "shows" that no one wants to watch. There's a reason that Nothing But Commercials is the least watched of the alphabet networks. Unless you're a Billy Mays fan wondering about the new Oxi-product.
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Goodbye Apple, Hello Pirates
by rcrusoe September 4, 2007 4:07 PM PDT
Amazon & all the other online stores haven't been able to find many customers. NBC's move isn't going to change that. iTunes has been the only real alternative to illegal downloading for a lot of people. The only thing NBC decision is going to do is increase bittorrent traffic.
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Nope!
by danielwsmithee September 4, 2007 4:22 PM PDT
Here is the link to requirements. http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html? nodeId=3759 Oddly enough they specifically mention that it may not work on an Apple computer with a required version of Windows installed! If they are referring to virtual machines (Parallels, VMWare etc.) why not say so? Obviously there is no reason why it wouldn't in BootCamp. The thing these people don't get is people don't want to watch video only on their computers. They want to put it on their iPods, iPhones & PSPs. iTunes is successful because it is so easy to use and it gets you that (at least for the iPhone/iPod). The next easiest way is via Torrent and that is where people will go, not to these crappy "online only" services.
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Another way around it...
by furball123A September 4, 2007 4:40 PM PDT
Get a PVR-150 from Amazon...GBPVR PVR software & some Ipod video conversion software...you only need to use Amazon for the hardware. Using the scheduler in your PVR software...you can record any network show without resorting to bittorent. Even with the right eazy configuration...the PVR software will kill most of the commercials during or after recording.
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Counting the days...
by drumpat01 September 4, 2007 4:41 PM PDT
I'm just counting down the days until the next HUGE torrent site comes online. And you know its coming. First it was P2P, then it was Torrents, who knows what could happen now that torrent sites are being shut down. When are the corporations going to figure out that they are fighting a losing battle? Leaving iTunes means they are dead in the water next year.
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NBC - Amazon/Tivo deal leaves customer behind
by carlobmore September 4, 2007 5:04 PM PDT
After claiming that they wanted customers to have choice and flexibility, I don't see how on "Earth" NBC thinks moving to Amazon.com will provide (according to the Amazon.com press release) "the ultimate convenience" and enjoyment to their customers?? 1) iTunes works on both Windows and Mac; Unbox does not. 2) iTunes is easier, faster and more reliable than Unbox. 3) Apple TV does not require a service plan; TiVo does. 4) Apple TV has built-in wireless; TiVo does not. 5) the list of inadequacies goes on and is too long to complete here... Given this decision by NBC, it sadly appears they are not serious about doing what is best for their customers. The fact that none of the first several comments on this blog praise/welcome the announcement, should give NBC and Amazon.com a clue as to the misguided direction they have taken. But I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise - satisfying customers cost money - and NBC obviously would rather take more money from their customers. Thank you Apple for attempting to stand up for our best interests.
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I was thinking, oh, I have TiVo...
by idreamincode September 4, 2007 5:28 PM PDT
...and this might be something I could use... then it hit me! I get ALLLL NBC shows for FREE just setting the TiVo to record, just like it has for the last 6 years! I don't think $4.99 an episode is worth it for me to not click the 30sec skip button, and get the show a day later. What is NBC thinking?!
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Perfect!
by dpip September 4, 2007 5:30 PM PDT
I don't watch NBC and don't buy from Amazon, so this deal is a win-win for me.
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GE and NBC - Greed in Action
by tompmac September 4, 2007 5:49 PM PDT
This is typical of GE (who owns NBC)...they bully their way to higher margins with their suppliers and retailers (yea Steve Jobs for holding firm for the consumer). Unfortunately for GE/NBC, charging $4.99 for an over-the-air broadcast that can't be easily transferred to the dominant portable video platform is just stupid. GE shareholders should remember this for discussion at next year's sharholders meeting, when NBC's profits are down (again).
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