Comments on: $30 a Month iTunes TV Show Subscriptions for iPhone… and iTablet?

By: Vincent Rose

Vincent Rose — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:51:55 +0000

Absolutley, I have the most basic, cheapest, Directv and it’s still over $60 per month. Some people pay much more than that. If what Apple is offering is unlimited downloads for any show for $30.month, I’d drop directv in a heartbeat, so what if you have to wait a measly 1 day to watch your shows. With directv or cable, if you set your DVR to record your shows, it is usually the next day before get around to watching it anyway. It would be well worth it to me.

By: Justineverett

Justineverett — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:48:05 +0000

It’s funny that people get on here and say it costs too much. If this article was about cable and stated “comcast is looking to release cable service that allows you to watch duplicate channels and repeats for 80 bucks a month” people would throw a fit and say hell no yet most of the people out there saying no to this HAVE CABLE. Wake up and see the cable company rip off!!!! Whether Apple gets this right the first time or not it’s the future people. I for one don’t wanna pay cable every month just to have the freedom to “channel surf”.

By: Sergio

Sergio — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:21:37 +0000

The only people who really don't need this are, Sports nuts and News junkies. I don't watch either. To anyone saying that HBO wouldn't go along (cough) they already have. An episode of Entourage on my Jesus Phone is $1.99, the same price for cable show 30 rock.

Offering this service will not effect people who want to stay tied to their couch.

Internet, TV, Camera, Music, Phone, Game System, should be on demand, all the time, in the palm of my hand.

By: Cory

Cory — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:22:38 +0000

YES FOR SURE

By: Killer

Killer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:38:20 +0000

Does this include porn? Then yes. If not then no.

By: The Reptile

The Reptile — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:04:09 +0000

Rene, please – NO MORE JEFF ZUCKER! I’m tired of seeing his no talent, GE-hyped face on TV. Seeing it here only makes me ill. He was a good produce for Today. As a network head he’s clueless. Weird Al did a better job of reviving a TV station in UHF than Zucker is at NBC.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:24:34 +0000

Yes, I would because I pay 80 bucks to Foxtel!!!

By: matt weimer

matt weimer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:49:23 +0000

You guys are ridiculous if you think 30 dollars is too much for renting any movie or tv show anytime. To rent a movie from the store is 5 bucks alone.

By: 8track

8track — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:35:15 +0000

yes, but only if it’s compatible with my VCR!

By: Luke W

Luke W — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:55:49 +0000

Throw in movies as well and you’ve got a deal!

By: icebike

icebike — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:50:36 +0000

It takes about 12 seconds for someone who IS better than you to put you in your place.

And yet you end your post by calling someone names?

By: SaggyBalls

SaggyBalls — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:32:18 +0000

Haha, the #25 post, Joe McG, got owned by the #27 post, Dyvim. This is what happens when you try to act like you’re better than somebody else people. It takes about 12 seconds for someone who IS better than you to put you in your place. Well don Dyvim. Joe McG, you’re a douchebag.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:18:23 +0000

@icebike why would you give up sports and news, they give HD channels away for free now. Yea, you will lose espn but I could miss a couple of games. I’m sure my wife would be ok with that one.

By: Duray

Duray — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:50:27 +0000

i want but 30 bucks is a little high for tv i already pay for. how about 10 bucks

By: Impaler

Impaler — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:04:53 +0000

Too soon to tell. I’d have to see what’s offered. Usually Apple starts with a very limited group of shows/movies, and adds as they go. I’d wait at least a year for this one.

By: The Reptile

The Reptile — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:19:47 +0000

This opens up a huge can of worms. No doubt that something’s up – in a good way for Apple shareholders that is.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:18:29 +0000

For this much it should include movies and possibly even music then i would think about it

By: fastlane

fastlane — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:19:55 +0000

Am I to assume the $30 a month also includes unlimited access to every episode, from every season, of every TV show past and present that's available in the iTunes Store... as well as live broadcast TV?

If that's the case, is $30 still too much? I don't know about anyone else, but I sure don't have access to such a large library as that with Comcast.

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:13:24 +0000

This would be a really great cost-effective solution for young people who don’t want to pay hundreds a month for 900 channels they don’t watch. I only watch like, 5 channels. It’d be amazing to get those shows downloaded on my computer as soon as they are available for only $30..

By: Jose

Jose — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:09:23 +0000

I’ll buy that for a dollar.

By: fassy

fassy — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:03:27 +0000

Nope. Price too high, would still have to get cable/IPTV for news/sports/live events.

Worse, I assume Apple will eventually incorporate into their TV initiative some of the OS-level advertising features they have applied to patent (quoted from tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com/yk47vts ):

The operating system is configured to present one or more of the advertisements to users of the computer device. In some implementations, the operating system can disable one or more functions during the presentation of the advertisements and then enable the function(s) in response to the advertisements ending. That is, the operating system can disable some aspect of its operation to prompt the operator to pay attention to the advertisement.

I currently think the AppleTV is an OK product, just not to my tastes. If/when Apple executes these patents, they will be approaching a level of consumer unfriendliness that even my cable company, as bad as they are, has not dreamed.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:57:13 +0000

refurbed apple tv 40 gigs are 149 bucks on Apple.com

By: Ethan

Ethan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:55:53 +0000

everyone, join me in prayer.

I really really hope this happens. I'll kiss network tv/cable/sat goodbye forever.

This and Netflix watch instantly would rule.

By: Franz

Franz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:44:46 +0000

I’d buy an AppleTV for this too – if they get 1080i programs and update the AppleTV to support it. Then I could kill my cable, Slingbox and Tivo. If they support 1080p movies and include that in the subscription (even at an additional $10 monthly premium), then I’d ditch Netflix. If they could allow Slacker and Pandora on AppleTV, I’d ditch the Squeezebox too. Come on Apple – bring subscriptions and a big AppleTV hardware upgrade!

By: Druce

Druce — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:27:06 +0000

I would sign up. In fact, I will probably get hate mail for this, but I would even pay more for an unlimited, all you can eat subscription plan that works with my Apple TV. The way I figure, I can cancel my cable to pay for it. It would be great for anybody unless you are hooked on local news or sports.

By: Rene Ritchie

Rene Ritchie — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:12:18 +0000

D’oh! Mixed up the images. Fixed and added iTablet angle…

By: jtz5

jtz5 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:03:30 +0000

@MattWeber-

It's not just TV shows. There is no way Apple would get licensing done with NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, etc. and at that point, why pay an extra $30 when you can just watch your cable shows?

By: Piercedirish

Piercedirish — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:57:19 +0000

I use NetFlix watch instantly $8 plan and Hulu. Hard to beat that. Even at $30 a month.

By: icebike

icebike — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:56:07 +0000

@Carjackulous:

30 a month plus an Apple TV could replace cable/satellite.

If you you watch is sitcoms and series, perhaps. But you would have to give up:

All Sports
All News
All special events
Most premium channels

If None of those things appeal to you and you are happy watching on a tiny screen it might make sense. But the price is too high.

By: ich bin ein iPhoner

ich bin ein iPhoner — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:51:22 +0000

I would buy an Apple TV for this. I already pay $87/mnth for cable. With this I could reduce that bill to $33 and still get digital basic, the free HD channels and my one cheap movie theme pack for those times when I just want to watch whatever’s on. Plus, I can take my tv anywhere on my phone and new MacBook Slate.

By: Dyvim

Dyvim — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:45:38 +0000

@25, Nope I’m the guy you see staring at his iPhone while on the exercise bike, treadmill, or elliptical trainer (esp. during winter when exercising outside is miserable). The gym is actually the #1 reason why I buy or rent iTunes video content.

By: MattWeber1985

MattWeber1985 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:41:01 +0000

Oh come on. Everyone who said no needs to think about it. If they can get all their tv shows for 30$$ noone is going to pay 100 for cable.

By: Joe McG

Joe McG — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:40:16 +0000

Really? You guys seriously buy that much crap on iTunes?

Oh, you must be the ones that I DON'T see at the gym...

By: iphone4idiots

iphone4idiots — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:33:23 +0000

No way. What are the odds of Apple getting HBO and Showtime on board? They have the best TV shows. DVR and Sling is the way to go. And you couldn’t justify the cost by dropping your cable/satellite cause there are just too many things you would lose. Whether its the YES network for Yankees or HBO or Fox Soccer Channel. My guess is almost everyone would have at least two channels that Apple TV would not have that they would not want to give up.

By: cardfan

cardfan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:32:49 +0000

I’d get in a heartbeat depending on how broad the selection is. Might even get an Apple TV at that point.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:32:38 +0000

No thanks. Mobile would be the primary access type for me, and AT&T can’t even keep my voice calls connected while I’m standing still. (I am not making this up.)

By: Micah

Micah — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:32:08 +0000

Does it have commercials? I don’t want to pay for commercials… If no commercials, then yeah I’ll pay! 100% guaranteed. I’d even get an apple tv! Even with commercials I’d be willing to pay 20/mo.

By: JimEJr

JimEJr — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:30:48 +0000

Bring it. I may not sign on or use it all the time but I believe consumers should have choices.

By: Freiteez

Freiteez — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:29:10 +0000

Hmmm I watch my tv on Hulu and that’s free. Why not make a hulu app that let’s me watch what I want on my phone and I’ll be happy. AT&T has live tv on other phones and it’s about $10 for the service so $30 is way overpriced.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:29:04 +0000

I already spend way more with my iPhone than I do my computer or my tv…why not?

By: fastlane

fastlane — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:27:59 +0000

I think $30 is a decent price. But, like sting7k, I just wouldn't use it often enough, myself.

And how many months must one commit to... twelve? There's tons of TV shows on iTunes, but after one has seen everything of interest, then what?

It would be nice if one is able to subscribe month-to-month.

By: Carjackulous

Carjackulous — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:20:55 +0000

30 a month plus an Apple TV could replace cable/satellite. Plus, no commercials and easily watched on different platforms(tv, computer or iphone). Sounds good to me. Lack of sports would be the Achilles heal, though….

By: Daryl

Daryl — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:19:57 +0000

I might. For me it depends on if hulu would start charging next year and what they would be offering. If the price were near what apple would offer with the same amount of content, I would spring for apples model if it allowed you to watch on your iPhone or iPod

By: jtz5

jtz5 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:17:10 +0000

I would rather be able to take DVRd shows and load them onto my iPhone. I have AT&T U-verse, so there were rumors a while back that might be coming.

Enough of the subscription based models. Already have phone, cell, Internet, cable, WSJ online, etc.

By: Dyvim

Dyvim — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:17:05 +0000

Only if it included movies. I buy iTunes TV shows, but I spend less than $30/mo on them. But between TV shows and movie rentals I probably do spend more than $30 (at least some months), but not that much more.

I wonder if this is related to the mythical iTablet...

By: i2Fuzzy

i2Fuzzy — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:16:33 +0000

I’d buy an Apple TV for this.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:13:59 +0000

Excellent plan. Would definitely sign up for this

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:08:48 +0000

If all the networks joined in and you could watch as much as you want, new shows showed up at the same time it broadcast on cable. Doesn’t sound bad if you want to get rid of cable, I watch most shows off my dvr.

By: icebike

icebike — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:07:33 +0000

Not only NO, but He1l No.

I have a tv.

By: sidlives

sidlives — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:07:25 +0000

I would love this as then I don’t have to transcode the movies myself.

By: pn2bade

pn2bade — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:06:25 +0000

Nope, sling player would pay for itself in a couple of months

By: rpv

rpv — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:58:24 +0000

that would be great

By: happiicamper

happiicamper — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:58:07 +0000

this is an AWESOME price… one show can cost $30.00 for the season…

I would do it… It is great for travelers…

By: jli842

jli842 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:55:54 +0000

Uh... the report mentions that this is not just for iPhone but for the entire iTunes ecosystem (computers, iPods, iPhones, and AppleTV).

Yes.

By: HungWell

HungWell — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:52:24 +0000

WiFi only or do we get to totally destroy AT&T’s network?

By: sting7k

sting7k — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:48:48 +0000

Also have to go with no on this one. No way I would use it enough to be worth the price.

By: Not first

Not first — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:46:16 +0000

No.