Itunes monopoly

[Tech198]

Hi all.

I've used iTunes to purchases music/albums from before. but never movies/tv series.

Instead, all of these come from Netflix so I can watch on Apple TV.

But since i can view most of the titles on iTunes with Apple TV as well, I'm looking for or after "old favourites, new releases etc" the only thing stopping me is the fact iTunes charges "per-season" and "per-title" rather than the flat monthly fee Netflix does.

Trying to scrap all my physical movies DVD media, and keeping the "small" percentage that are just not available to stream on either would be good, but i need to know first if i should take this step.

 

[GoCubsGo]

The point of Netflix is pure rental whereas on iTunes there is some sense of ownership on titles you purchase. Their pricing is off, I refuse to pay their price for a new release when physical media is the same price. That said, you won't find anything that allows a subscription and ownership to my knowledge. iTunes does expect you to pay on a per title or per season basis, their cost for a season still comes in much less than cable but it adds up quickly if you want the season pass to more than a couple of shows.

Scrapping your physical media is fine, I kept a few titles that I can't find streaming anywhere. I think I bought one movie from iTunes once and I've rented a few, even at their premium. If you do see something on iTunes that is not on Netflix and you can rent it then it's up to you to decide whether it's worth it.

 

[b-rad g]

Yeah they would definitely get ripped off if they had a monthly subscription instead of "pay per use" style.

Just imagine everyone paying for a month and downloading everything they can get their hands on and then cancelling after the one month.

 

[paulrbeers]

Yeah they would definitely get ripped off if they had a monthly subscription instead of "pay per use" style.

Just imagine everyone paying for a month and downloading everything they can get their hands on and then cancelling after the one month.

Hold on, that's not really how monthly subscriptions work though. For services that have a monthly subscription, yes you download everything but at least once a month they have to do a "call home" and verify if you still have a subscription and if you don't, they delete everything and/or remove permission to access the files.

 

[b-rad g]

Hold on, that's not really how monthly subscriptions work though. For services that have a monthly subscription, yes you download everything but at least once a month they have to do a "call home" and verify if you still have a subscription and if you don't, they delete everything and/or remove permission to access the files.

Yes but I'm talking about how iTunes dowloads are right now. If you download something from iTunes, it's yours to keep. Meaning that you can access it even if you don't have an internet connection. So iTunes would have to totally change the way things are handled.

 

[paulrbeers]

Yes but I'm talking about how iTunes dowloads are right now. If you download something from iTunes, it's yours to keep. Meaning that you can access it even if you don't have an internet connection. So iTunes would have to totally change the way things are handled.

Umm true? They couldn't leave it as is and do a subscription service. Pretty sure that's a given.

 

[waw74]

Yes but I'm talking about how iTunes dowloads are right now. If you download something from iTunes, it's yours to keep.

You can rent movies, you have 30 days from download and 24 hours after you start playback, then iTunes will delete it.
and you used to be able to rent TV shows

There are some shows that i might watch once. and don't want to pay $3 an episode or $54 for the season. although when spread out over the typical 6 month run of a show when it makes a bit more sense.

There has to be a price point, somewhere below a monthly cable subscription, my guess is $15 to $25, that will get you access to the new shows. You can watch as many as you want as long as you have a valid subscription. Perfect world would be downloadable, so you can take shows with you.

yes, this is more money than netflix, but it's also giving you access to new shows, while most of the shows don't show up on netflix for at least 6 months or so.

The big problem in all of this is the content providers ( the TV networks) and not Apple. They are trying to maintain their cash flow, and figuring out how to do that in the new digital age. It seams most of them are running from the technology instead of embracing it.

 

[Tech198]

renting

I've bit the bullet and tries renting movies via itunes..

I like it. I wached 24.

But the rental period is far too short.

Here in Australia, you have up to 48 hours after watching it. or 30 days to *rent it*

But. honestly, if you rent something, your gonna watch it ASAP, your not gonna delibratly wait out 30 days just to "see" .. Then again, maybie you might (shrugs)

Personally though, rental periods in dvd stores can be up to a week in some cases, so this should be the same with itunes.. or at least extend it. 48 hours is far too short.

Maybie this is how Apple makes money.. People expect to finish watching it a few days later. realise its removed from their Itunes account, then re-rent it again.

Yes.. its cheap. but it all adds up over time.